Malabar Milma to open modern milk powder unit in Malappuram on Dec. 24

Milma to inaugurate modern milk powder factory in Malappuram with SCDA technology, aiming for global brand status.

The Malabar Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union (MRCMPU) under the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (Milma) will open a modern milk powder production factory at Moorkkanadu in Malappuram on December 24. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the facility, which was completed at a cost of ₹131.03 crore.

Addressing the media after releasing a comprehensive project report featuring the Malabar union’s achievements within the past five years here on Thursday (December 5), Milma chairman K.S. Mani said the new factory, equipped with a production capacity of 10 metric tonne milk powder a day, would be another milestone and it would employ advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCDA) systems for scientifically controlling, monitoring and analysing the whole production process.

He said spray drying technology would be used at the State’s first SCDA-enabled modern factory which was realised with the financial aid of the State government and the Swiss Development Co-operation. “Intensified efforts are under way to explore the export potential of new value added products after improving the shelf life through focused research and development activities. We are in the process of making Milma a global brand,” he added.

The project report presented by MRCMPU’s managing director K.C. James said the total turnover of the Malabar Milma registered a 48% growth within the past five years. During the term, the Malabar Milma paid ₹5,091.7 crore to dairy farmers under various milk cooperative societies. The sale of milk registered 27.89 % growth in the region. This was apart from increasing the total turnover from the marketing of various value added products.

Explaining the significant achievements mentioned in the project report, Mr. Mani said the Malabar union was truly elated over the Prime Minister’s praise in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme for its efforts in providing efficient Ayurveda medicines for animal diseases. The Energy Conservation awards instituted by the Central government and the Society of Energy Engineers and Managers were some of the notable achievements during the term, he pointed out.

“A number of welfare projects related to education and treatment were introduced for the dairy farmers’ families. Within the past five years, ₹192 lakh was distributed as charity aid through the Malabar Rural Development Foundation under MRCMPU,” said Mr. Mani. He also said several dialysis patients were enrolled under a special treatment support scheme to grant ₹1,000 every month.