Expert calls for adopting market-led scientific interventions to reduce dairy sector crisis in Kerala
The Hindu
Farmers in distress as distribution networks are disrupted due to lockdown and milk cooperatives are unable to procure the entire quantity of milk
As the dairy sector has been severely hit by the restrictions during COVID-19 lockdown, the farmers need to think of market-led production for a sustainable dairying system in the State, says expert. The farmers are in distress as distribution networks have been disrupted and the milk cooperatives are unable to procure the entire quantity of milk. The Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (or Milma), which procures 16 lakh litres of milk in three regions of the State, has reduced procurement up to 40%. The closure of hotels and restaurants has also affected the marketing of milk. “Pre-monsoon showers increased the availability of green fodder and resulted in a jump in milk production. It is estimated that 10 kg of green fodder can substitute one kg of concentrates, thus reducing the cost of milk production,” said T.P. Sethumadhavan, Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry, and former director (entrepreneurship) of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU).More Related News