The Ernakulam Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (ERCMPU), comprising dairy societies in the districts of Ernakulam, Thrissur, Idukki and Kottayam, has been sanctioned a grant of ₹10.45 crore by the Union government as part of relief measures for the dairy sector in the wake of the floods in the State in mid-August.
Chairman of the regional milk cooperative P.A. Balan said the ERCMPU had submitted a plan for ₹15-crore relief work for dairy farmers in those districts. The project has now received the support of the Union government. The rest of the money for the project would be borne by the union and the beneficiary dairy farmers, he said.
The project submitted by the ERCMPU includes financial support for buying new milch animals, buying calves as well as setting up shelters for the milch animals. Part of the fund will also go into rebuilding infrastructure for the milk societies. Mr. Balan said dairy societies across the four districts had suffered infrastructure losses, including damage to computers and society buildings.
One of the focus areas of the project is the buying of new milch animals. A grant of ₹30,000 will be provided to farmers wanting to buy new animals. The total number is expected to be around 300 to 320. Grant will also be provided to partly support purchase of new calves by the dairy farmers.
Quality breed
Amid efforts to rehabilitate the dairy sector, Mr. Balan pointed out that there was shortage of quality breed in the State and many farmers depended on purchases from neighbouring States such as Tamil Nadu.
The regional milk union is contemplating providing incentives to dairy farmers under its fold from December 1. The union plans to provide an extra ₹1 per litre of milk bought by the societies. The societies would be paid ₹0.50 per litre too as part of the incentive scheme, said Mr. Balan. The incentive scheme was to be approved by the ERCMPU board, which would meet later, he added.