KOCHI: As an unusually fierce summer reaches its peak, the regional milk producers’ union fears a possible crisis in the dairy sector, with local milk production dwindling and farmers in neighbouring States hiking the the price of the commodity.
“It is possible that we have a crisis on our hands later this month,” said Ernakulam Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (ERCMPU) chairman P.A. Balan. The apex regional cooperative covers farmers in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kottayam, and Idukki districts.
He added that there was already a shortage of 10,000 litres compared to the normal production levels in the four districts. However, it has not affected sales, as milk is brought to Kerala from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka now. However, prices have been on the rise in the two States, and Karnataka has been supplying milk to Maharashtra, he added.
Mr. Balan, a veteran in the dairy sector, said the recent decision of the government to increase the prices of milk to help farmers had not substantially increased milk production, though the effect of the price revision was just beginning to unfold.
“A crucial problem facing the dairy sector is shortage of water, drying fields, and shortage of grass and other fodder. The change in climatic conditions has affected the dairy sector just as it has affected other spheres of economic activity,” said the ERCMPU chairman.
Local milk production ranges between 2.2 lakh litres and 2.60 lakh litres a day, and sales in the region range between 3.20 lakh litres and 3.50 lakh litres a day. The gap between local production and sale is made up through import from neighbouring States.
Mr. Balan pointed out that while Kerala had faced serious milk shortage in the past, it had depended on Maharashtra, but the current situation was such that Maharashtra was importing milk from neighbouring States like Karnataka.
Meanwhile, the regional cooperative said it was offering a discount of ₹100 per 50-kg bag for the Milma brand of cattle feed. The offer is valid for the month of March.
