The Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited has decided to share ₹14.8 crore of its profits with dairy farmers of the 1,200 co-operative societies in the six northern districts of the State. “This will be a Vishu gift for the dairy farmers supplying milk to Milma. Besides, the employees of the cooperative societies will also receive incentives totalling ₹2 crore“ Malabar Milma chairman K.S. Mani told a news conference here on Tuesday. He said that the amount would be calculated as additional price for the milk procured from the farmers in March. This was the first time in the history of Malabar Milma that such a large amount was being given to dairy farmers, he said. Mr. Mani said that Milma’s assistance would greatly benefit the dairy farmers as the country rejuvenates after COVID-19. Today, Kerala was paying more to farmers for milk than any other State, he claimed. Many private entrepreneurs, who procured milk from neighbouring States at low prices, encouraged retailers to sell their products by paying more commissions. However, Milma was able to overcome these commercial competitions due to the quality of the milk, the trust of the customers, and the support of the retail traders, Mr. Mani said. The Malabar Regional Union had to bear the brunt of the slowdown in the dairy industry during the pandemic. During the past two years, it had to convert about 30 million litres of milk into milk powder, incurring a loss of ₹50 crore. Even during the crisis, milk was procured from the farmers. The prices were paid exactly every 10 days. At present, Malabar Milma has paid around ₹100 crore per month to dairy farmers for milk, Mr. Mani said. Mr. Mani also launched two products – jackfruit payasam mix and butter rusk – marketed by the Malabar Rural Development Foundation, a subsidiary of Milma. A trial marketing of ready-to-eat paneer butter masala was under way, he said.
