Minister for Dairy Development K.T. Rajendra Balaji inaugurated new Aavin milk parlours in the Nilgiris, built at a combined cost of ₹ 1.7 crore on Monday.
At the Aavin Milk Complex in Udhagamandalam, the Minister said that nutritious, clean milk procured from farmers by the milk co-operative society was in high demand across Tamil Nadu. He said up to 33 lakh litres of milk was being procured from farmers by Aavin, and that milk production and sale played a crucial role in agrarian economies across the State.
“A single cow can support ten families,” said Mr. Balaji, adding that there were 95 milk co-operatives operating across the Nilgiris, from whom 14,000 litres of milk was being procured. The Minister said that with milk procured from Coimbatore, more than 16,500 litres of milk was being sold across the district.
The Minister also added that Aavin was starting to make profits, with sales of milk-related products from Aavin outlets touching ₹ 30 lakh per month. Procurement of milk from the district would be ramped up.
Responding to questions, Mr. Balaji said that there was no disharmony and all the ministers were behind Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
