Beltangady: Dairy farming continues to witness steady growth across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, with milk production increasing consistently year after year. Beltangady taluk has once again emerged as the highest contributor to the Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, maintaining its long-standing position as the leading milk supplier among the 16 taluks covered by the union.
The Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union oversees milk procurement activities across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts through an extensive network of cooperative societies. Beltangady has consistently remained at the forefront of milk collection, reflecting the taluk’s strong dairy farming culture and robust cooperative support system.
Extensive cooperative network supports dairy sector
A total of 756 milk producers’ cooperative societies are functioning under the union. Of these, 411 societies are located in Dakshina Kannada district, while 345 operate in Udupi district.
In Dakshina Kannada district, Mangaluru taluk has 30 active societies, including 15 women’s societies, supplying an average of 9,555 litres of milk daily. Moodbidri has 29 societies, including six women’s societies, with a daily procurement of 17,887 litres.
Mulki contributes 4,427 litres daily through 19 societies, while Ullal supplies 3,430 litres through 11 societies. Bantwal has 85 societies that collectively supply 48,763 litres every day.
Puttur taluk records a daily milk supply of 27,106 litres through 59 societies, while Kadaba contributes 34,356 litres through 41 societies. Sullia supplies 15,936 litres daily through its network of 50 cooperative societies.
However, Beltangady remains far ahead of all other taluks, with 87 cooperative societies supplying an impressive 1,13,960 litres of milk every day.
Dakshina Kannada records nearly 2.9 lakh litres daily
The combined average daily milk procurement from Dakshina Kannada district stands at 2,90,420 litres, highlighting the district’s significant contribution to Karnataka’s dairy sector.
The consistent rise in milk production across the district has been attributed to improved cattle management practices, better veterinary support, enhanced fodder availability and growing awareness among dairy farmers regarding scientific dairy farming techniques.
The cooperative model has also enabled farmers to secure stable income through assured milk procurement and timely payments.
Udupi district contributes over 1.5 lakh litres daily
In Udupi district, dairy farming continues to play a vital role in the rural economy. Udupi taluk supplies 7,977 litres of milk daily through 31 societies, while Brahmavar contributes 31,461 litres through 80 societies.
Kapu taluk records a daily supply of 8,454 litres, while Kundapur contributes 45,284 litres, making it the highest milk-producing taluk in Udupi district.
Byndoor supplies 18,272 litres daily, Hebri contributes 11,608 litres and Karkala records a daily milk procurement of 27,824 litres.
Overall, Udupi district achieves an average daily milk collection of 1,50,880 litres, further strengthening the region’s dairy economy.
Modern infrastructure boosts efficiency
The cooperative sector’s success has been supported by substantial investments in infrastructure. Several milk societies across both districts operate from their own buildings, reflecting the strength and stability of the cooperative network.
In Dakshina Kannada, 65 societies in Beltangady have their own buildings, while Bantwal has 56, Puttur 39, Kadaba 23 and Sullia 27. Similar infrastructure development can be seen across Udupi district, with Brahmavar and Kundapur each having 57 and 56 society-owned buildings respectively.
Technology has also enhanced milk procurement operations. Dakshina Kannada district has 98 Bulk Milk Coolers, while Udupi district has 57. Electronic Milk Testers have been installed at 402 centres in Dakshina Kannada and 340 centres in Udupi.
Additionally, Automatic Milk Collection Units are functioning at 404 centres in Dakshina Kannada and 343 centres in Udupi, ensuring transparency, accuracy and efficiency in milk procurement.
Women play a major role in dairy farming
Women continue to be a driving force behind the success of the dairy cooperative movement in the coastal region. A significant number of women’s cooperative societies are actively involved in milk production and procurement.
Dakshina Kannada district has 84,872 cooperative members, of whom 29,092 actively supply milk. Udupi district has 69,218 members, including 21,870 active milk suppliers.
Women account for a substantial share of membership, with 14,170 women members in Dakshina Kannada and 14,849 women members in Udupi district.
Beltangady alone has 18,622 members, including 10,115 active milk suppliers, making it the largest contributor to the union’s milk collection network.
Financial support encourages dairy farmers
According to Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union President Raviraj Hegde, milk production has been increasing steadily across both districts due to various support mechanisms available to dairy farmers.
He noted that Beltangady continues to lead all taluks in milk supply to the union. Hegde attributed this achievement to the encouragement provided by the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project and the availability of dairy loans through the District Central Cooperative Bank at concessional interest rates of zero and three per cent.
These initiatives have enabled farmers to invest in dairy activities, improve cattle quality and expand milk production, contributing to the continued growth of the sector.
Conclusion
Beltangady’s continued dominance in milk production highlights the strength of the dairy cooperative movement in coastal Karnataka. Supported by strong infrastructure, active farmer participation, women-led societies and accessible financial assistance, the dairy sector in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts continues to grow steadily. With milk procurement increasing year after year, the region remains a key contributor to Karnataka’s cooperative dairy network.