Adv. K. Raju, Hon’ble Minister for Forests, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Zoos
Shri K. Muraleedharan, MLA
Shri Anil Xavier, IAS, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Development, Government of Kerala
Shri P.T. Gopala Kurup, Chairman, MILMA
Shri U.V. Jose, IAS, Managing Director, MILMA
Shri Kallada Ramesh, Chairman, Regional Milk Union
Shri KN Surendran Nair,
Shri Balan Master
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
I am very happy to inaugurate the Dr. Verghese Kurien Memorial speech, held in connection with National Milk Day. As we all know, today is the Birth Anniversary of Dr. Varghese Kurien, the father of the White Revolution in India. It was his tireless striving that enabled India to eventually rise as the nation with the highest production of milk. It is truly befitting on the part of all Milk Federations and Milk Marketing Co-operatives to pay tributes to the memory of Dr. Kurien by observing this day as National Milk Day.
Let me at the outset, congratulate the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, popularly known as MILMA, on its decision to institute this Commemorative speech on this occasion. Set up in 1980, with the goal of ensuring socio economic progress of the dairy farmer through procuring, processing and marketing of milk, MILMA has been operating on the democratic lines of 'of the farmer, by the farmer and for the farmer', ever since. The three tier system with village, regional and apex level that MILMA has been following has been a model of success in Kerala, since it ensures that the farmer members are directly responsible for policy level decisions.
It is satisfying to note that MILMA has grown to the level of collecting over 11 lakh litres of milk per day and selling nearly 13 lakh liters of milk and having an array of milk products for sale under different categories. The most benevolent gesture of this organization is that it passes on 82% of the sales revenue to the farmers as price of milk. The sales turnover of Rs.2600 crore per year is also impressive in the Kerala context. What is more impressive is that the MILMA family has the strength of over eight lakh farmer members and it directly and indirectly employs around 25,000 citizens.
It is a matter of pride that India, as the largest producer of milk, accounts for over 18.5% of the milk produced in the world. From 137.69 million tonnes during 2013-14, we have moved to 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15 registering a growth of 6.26%, at a time when even the Food and Agriculture Organization had reported an increase of only 3.1% in world milk production. It is quite an impressive achievement, especially when we know that the current per capita availability of milk in India is 322 grams per day, as against the mere 176 grams in 1990.
The dairy industry is full of opportunities. For us, dairying is not just an economic activity, but an integral part of our culture and heritage. In fact, there is a belief in many villages that a household is incomplete without cattle. In many of our religious chants, the welfare of livestock was considered almost at par with the welfare of humans. If we look at milk as an agricultural crop, it would be the largest, because its market value exceeds Rs.4 lakh crore per annum and more importantly because it directly or indirectly affects the livelihood of over 150 million farmer families and 750 million people in rural India. We can definitely say that milk co-operatives have triggered a socio economic revolution in rural India by generating employment opportunities for the weaker sections. In fact, dairying is one factor that has led to empowerment of women in rural areas.
But, our concern primarily should be on where Kerala stands in comparison with India. To our great relief, Kerala has come to the 13th position in terms of quantity of milk produced in the country. Our production of 2.79 million tonnes comes to only 2.11 % of the national milk production. However, Kerala gets adequate priority in allotting funds from government of India.
But, we also observe from some studies, especially those conducted at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University that the growth in milk production has not been consistent with the increase in demand. Besides, when we compare our per capita milk availability against the recommendations of the Indian Council of Medical Research published in 2010, we still have scope to improve. The recommendation is for 300 ml per day, but we stand just above 220 ml a day.
But, even this level is not disappointing, especially when we consider the shortage of fodder, hay and concentrates in Kerala. We are therefore forced to think in terms of more production from fewer animals. Here again, the saving grace is that 90% of our cows are cross breeds.
I would suggest that MILMA as the chief dairying agency should come forward to devise new schemes to attract more farmers to dairying so that increase in milk production becomes proportionate with the increase in population.
For instance, we could certainly devise incentive schemes for a district like Malappuram, which has been one of the lowest producers and consumers of milk in the State. The district has the dual advantage of economic potential and a good number of people who have direct experience of dairy involvement in Gulf countries. They can be encouraged to start dairy businesses. Milma's decision to open the latest processing plant in that district is a step in the right direction.
I hope the discussions that would follow as part of National Milk Day would put forward newer models of business and dairying. We should also think of more formal short term courses and training programmes with financial support to those who are interested. I am surprised that we do not have post graduate courses in Dairy Management.
Besides, I would also suggest involvement of new generation business people who can give us newer marketing initiatives that would make dairying truly profitable. Let us make use of National Milk Day to initiate a search for people who would become Varghese Kuriens of the future.
I compliment Milma and the Cooperative milk marketing outfits for observing Milk Day in a befitting manner.
Ellaavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
