It is a case of “sweet idea” that has eluded schoolchildren.
About three years ago, a proposal was mooted to provide mango milk shake as part of the noon meal scheme. This followed the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s announcement at the Collectors’ conference in November 2011. The advice given to Aavin (Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation) to examine the option was aimed at helping horticulture farmers of the Krishnagiri district, who were then hit hard by political instability in parts of the Middle East, one of the main markets for processed pulp.
Citing various reasons, the original idea was given a quiet burial. Eventually, the proposal was turned into an opportunity of revenue generation for Aavin, which was till recently incurring huge losses.
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For the last two-and-a-half years, the cooperative dairy organisation has been selling mango milk shake as a priced product of Aavin in the retail market. A 200-ml pack costs Rs. 20. On an average, 10,000 to 15,000 units are being sold every month, an official says. During 2013-2014, about one lakh units were sold, fetching about Rs. 15.5 lakh.
But, the schoolchildren, for whom the idea was mooted, are not getting benefited, says K. M. Rama Gounder, general secretary of the Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam and a Krishnagiri-based farmer, who had raised the demand in 2011.
Even now, the proposal can be pursued for the children covered under the noon meal scheme and this would be a nutritious drink.
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Krishnagiri district, famous for mangoes, has 70 pulp-making units in the district and the units can meet the demand if the government decides to provide the drink under the noon meal scheme.
Even now, the proposal can be pursued for the children covered under the noon meal scheme