Raising milk prices vital for dairy farming

KOCHI: Minister for Dairy Development KC Joseph has said that the price of milk would be fixed only after considering the production costs incurred by dairy farmers in the state.He was inaugurating a function in connection with the launch of a fodder subsidy of Rs 5 crore under the Central Government’s Dairy Development Project at the Ernakulam District Dairy Fest in Muvattupuzha on Sunday.According to Joseph, milk production in the state had seen a growth of 25 per cent after the price of milk was increased. “Under the 12th Five Year Plan, the government is working towards making the state self-reliant in the dairy sector,” he said.He further stated that the price hike had been allowed only after detailed study, and that the government had refrained from appealing against the High Court order permitting Milma to raise prices only because the hike was vital. “Milk production would increase only when there is sufficient profit available for the dairy farmers,” he said.“At present, we are relying on other states for making up the demand-supply deficit for milk.“More than eight lakh litres of milk has to be brought in from other states. Even the quality of this milk is doubtful,” Joseph said.The minister said that Union Government has partially agreed to include dairy farming in the MNREGA programme, which had been first demanded by the Kerala government.With the assistance of MPs from Kerala, the state government will pressurise the Centre to approve the demand for fully incorporating dairy farming under the MNREGA programme, he stated.He added that the state govt will also take up the cause of the pineapple farmers, after detailed study of the adversities in the sector. Joseph Vazhakkan MLA presided over the function.