The Dakshina Kannada Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union has reported a significant improvement in milk procurement this month, attributing it to better fodder availability due to the monsoon. Despite this, the union continues to face challenges meeting high demand for curds and other milk-based products, necessitating procurement from neighboring unions.
Currently, the union procures approximately 3.75 to 3.85 lakh litres of milk daily from local farmers, while demand stands at 3.8 to 3.9 lakh litres per day. To bridge the shortfall of about one lakh litres, the union relies on milk from Mandya, Hassan, and Mysuru. President KP Sucharitha Shetty expressed optimism that procurement could reach 4 lakh litres daily by the end of July with further monsoon improvements.
During the pandemic, milk procurement had peaked at 5.2 lakh litres daily as more individuals engaged in dairy farming amid the work-from-home trend. However, challenges such as lumpy skin disease in cattle and escalating feed costs have impacted local milk production, making it less profitable compared to other regions with more affordable cattle feed options.
The union, comprising 1.4 lakh members with over 67,000 active, remains committed to meeting customer demand and maintaining loyalty amidst fluctuating production challenges.