Milk collection in scarcity-hit Kutch dips 25%

RAJKOT: The drought-like situation in Kutch has taken a toll on milk production in the country’s largest district which has gone down by over one lakh litres per day (LLPD) — nearly 25% dip compared to last year. This is mainly because a large number of cattle breeders along with their animals have migrated to other districts in search for water and fodder.

During May last year, the Kutch District Cooperative Milk Union, popularly known as the Sarhad Dairy, collected 4 LLPD milk from its 668 member societies across the district.

In the wake of the dip in milk collection, the Dairy has now decided to increase milk procurement prices to Rs 620 per kg fat from current rate of Rs 600 per kg fat, from Thursday. However, the cattle breeders are not happy with the announcement.

Sarhad Dairy officials said that a dip in milk collection is expected during summer. But 25% decrease this year is very unusual.

Valamji Humbal, chairman of Sarhad Dairy said, “This year the milk collection is down by over 1 LLPD over last summer mainly because of drought-like situation, that has resulted in over 10,000 milch animals being shifted to other districts by their owners in search of water and fodder.”

The dairy procure 80% buffalo milk and 20% cow milk from over 80,000 cattle breeders who sell the milk to various cooperative societies.

Sarhad Dairy processes 2 LLPD milk for the requirement of the district while sends 1 LLPD to Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) that markets milk and milk products under brand Amul.

Humbal said that the decision to increase milk procurement price was to encourage the milk producers to sell the milk to the cooperative society.

A farmer of Abdasa, Dhiru Gandhi said, “Rs 20 hike won’t help us much. When we go to sell at the dairy they raise many issues. The private traders pay us higher price but we don’t get payment on time so we have no option but to sell to cooperative society.”

The Sarhad Dairy has also distributed 10,000 kit worth Rs 2 crore to farmers. The kit contains maize that grows very fast and its leaves could be used as fodder for animals. The intention, said dairy officials, was to support the farmers sustain their animals by growing maize on their land.