Severe drought in Tiruchi, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Karur districts has taken a toll on milk production as the average milk procurement by Aavin in Tiruchi has come down by 40,000 litres a day.
These districts are among the highest milk producing districts in the State. Besides supplying milk to a few private companies, the cattle growers mainly supply to the Tiruchi District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union. The union did not report drop in milk procurement from the affiliated cooperative societies until December 2016. But the procurement has started dipping since January.
On an average, the union procures about 3 lakh litres of milk from the farmers of Tiruchi, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Karur. Due to scarcity of natural fodder (green fodder) and drinking water, the procurement has come down to 2.60 lakh litres daily. The overall procurement of milk by the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers Cooperative Federation has come down by 3.50 lakh litres a day.
“Cattle produce more milk if they eat green fodder well and drink sufficient water. But there is hardly green fodder in the procurement centres due to failure of northeast monsoon. Cattle growers are fully dependent on dry feed. It has affected the milk production,” said R. Ravikumar, Deputy General Manager, (production), Aavin, Tiruchi.
Private sector too hit
The short supply of milk has also been felt by various private players and private dairies in Tiruchi district.
J. Madhan Mohan of Vijay Dairy in Tiruchi said the overall production had hit by about 20% due to dip in procurement from the cattle growers in the last two months. But the demand had gone up in the market. The production would hit further in the peak summer.
However, Aavin officials were of the view that dip in procurement will not affect the routine sales through Aavin outlets. There will not be problem for the Aavin consumers in getting milk.
V. Subbu, General Manager, Aavin, Tiruchi, told The Hindu that out of about 3 lakh litres of daily procurement, Tiruchi, Ariyalur, Karur and Perambalur districts required 1.20 lakh litres. Remaining milk had been sent to Chennai. The current procurement was sufficient to meet the requirement of consumers in Tiruchi. Similarly, the supply to Chennai would also be maintained as usual.
However, officials agree that excess milk supply to the powder making units in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai and Krishnagiri will be affected to some extent.
