Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Mangalore, Nov 17: Chairman of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), G Somashekhara Reddy, announced that a sum of Rs 50 crore by way of special grant, will be released to Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers Union, for achieving overall progress and to increase milk output in the district. He was speaking after inaugurating a function organized in the city on Monday November 16, to release the newly introduced six-kilogram jumbo packets of ‘Nandini’ brand of curds, brought out by KMF.
“The current milk production of 1.70 lac litres in the district is proposed to increased to four lac litres. With this, we want to take KMF to the top position in the country, as far as milk production is concerned. Nandini products are in demand in the country and abroad, because of the reliability and customer preference they have earned by maintaining high quality,” he explained.
Nitte University chancellor, Prof Shantaram Shetty, released the six kilograms jumbo curds packet. Shetty said that the people of the district had been the pioneers of cooperative movement and that anything becomes achievable when people work together. He noted that consumption of milk products can effectively stop bone decay and some other ailments.
State Cooperative Apex Bank president, M N Rajendra Kumar, participated as the chief guest. Kumar noted that several private concerns have been competing with KMF, but none have succeeded in matching its popularity. He demanded that the procurement price of milk be raised by three rupees per litre of milk, so that the dairying activity gets an impetus and the federation is able to maintain its quality in products.
Additional registrar of Industrial Cooperatives, R S Nooli, who participated as guest, advised farmers to take to dairying along with farming, as it can provide them financial stability.
President of the district milk producers union, Diwakar Rai P B, presided. KMF managing director M N Venkatram, additional director (finance) Mohankrishna, marketing director, A S Premnath, managing director of the district union, Chandrashekhar Nayak, Bangalore Mother Dairy director, Ravimkumar Kakade, National Dairy Development Board senior manager, Nataraj and several others were present.
On this occasion, prizes were distributed to the winners of the ‘scratch and win’ contest introduced by KMF.
Milk Producers Union president, Raviraj Hegde, welcomed. Director, Kaup Diwakar Shetty, proposed vote of thanks. M S Hegde presented the perogramme.