Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Apr 5: "The government has increased the price of Nandini milk by Rs 4, out of which Rs 3 goes directly into the hands of the farmers. At a time when farmers are committing suicide because of financial problems, dairy farming can prevent these deaths. Dairy farming can help farmers lead a peaceful life. It is the responsibility of the government to support dairy farming," said state minister for animal husbandry and sericulture A Manju.

He was speaking after inaugurating the new Nandini flexi pack milk at the KMF dairy premises in Kulshekar here on Tuesday April 5. Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dr Veerendra Heggade inaugurated the new production unit and cold storage of Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers' Union.

"The animal husbandry department is providing Rs 4 as subsidy to farmers for dairy farming. The Siddaramaiah government has given Rs 900 crore to support dairy farming in the entire state. People should come forward to buy Nandini milk products, as they are made from pure cow milk and are free from adulteration. The state government is providing milk to consumers at a lesser price as compared to other states," Manju said.

On this occasion he also requested Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dr Veerendra Heggade to become the brand ambassador of KMF Nandini Milk and its products.

Dr Veerendra Heggade said, "Farmers lead a peaceful life by selling the milk of cow even in places where rainfall is less. A family which sells 10 litres of milk per day gets Rs 1,200. Dairy farming gives good income to the familiy, enabling it to lead a good and peaceful life.

"From 40 years Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala has been supporting farmers in dairy farming. Dairy farming can be done in a hygienic, mechanized way with less labour. Farmers should give importance to the process of inseminazation to have good breed of cattle, with guidance from veterinary doctors," he added.

Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd (DKMUL) felicitated Dr Veerendra Heggade on the occasion.

District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai released Nandini flexi pack milk and state minister Abhaychandra Jain released 500 ml butter milk packets to the market.

Health minister U T Khader, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, president of KMF P Nagaraj, SCDCC Bank chairman Dr M N Rajendra Kumar and others were present.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of the programme, minister Manju replied to a question on the proposed veterinary college at Koyla and said, "Next week I will visit the district with officers. Money has already been sanctioned for this college. In the coming budget, I will ask the government to allot Rs 50 crore to start 300 ton feed shop units in Mangaluru dairy."

He also said that the state government has released Rs 7 crore for authorised goshalas in the state, including Rs 83 lac to Daskhina Kannada district.