Milk procurement by Aavin has witnessed a rising trend with 86,000 litres being procured daily in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts. The increase in milk production gave rise to procurement. The procurement was up since the first week of May. Normally, the procurement was between 70,000 and 75,000 litres a day to cater to the needs of consumers of the two neighbouring districts, sources from Aavin, Tirunelveli, told The Hindu on Wednesday.
Surplus production of milk owing to growth in fodder production resulted in increase in procurement by Aavin through milk producers of cooperative societies. Milk was being procured from 352 cooperative societies daily, the sources added.
The sale of milk processed by Aavin has also increased. Until last month, its sale was 42,000 litres a day and now it has gone up to 43,000 litres daily. Aavin has become the much sought-after name despite many private agencies in existence. Efforts were on to boost the sale of milk up to 50,000 litres a day with introduction of more vending agents. One litre of quality milk, which contained 12.5 total solid, had been procured at Rs. 28. If milk was tested sub-standard, it would not be procured under any circumstance. Aavin saw its maximum sale of 48,000 litres during 2012-13, the sources added.
After catering to the needs of consumers, the surplus milk had been converted into dairy products. Dairy products of Aavin also saw an upsurge in sales. About 20 to 25 per cent increase in production of by-products, including ghee, milk sweet and mysurpa, had boosted the market, the sources said.
S. Gengaraj, Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, Tirunelveli, said though this period was normally a lean one for milk production every year, milk production was high now due to unseasonal rains, which raised green fodder for cattle.
