To protect the livelihood of farmers and form a nutritious diet, TN farmers request milk be provided as part of midday meals

Coimbatore: Aavin and other private milk companies have reduced their procurement of milk from farmers. As a result of this, those farmers who are involved in milk production have lost their livelihood.

Coimbatore: Aavin and other private milk companies have reduced their procurement of milk from farmers. As a result of this, those farmers who are involved in milk production have lost their livelihood.

To prevent this, the State government must ensure that milk is provided to school students in the mid day meals scheme, requested the milk producing farmers.

The Congress government brought about the White revolution (milk production) and Green revolution (agriculture) and has been encouraging the micro and small farmers to involve in milk production. As a result of this, milk production has continued to rise in Tamilnadu.

There are nearly 40 lakh farmers who raise milch cows and are involved in milk production. Due to this, each day two crore litres of milk is produced. Of this 1.76 crore litres of milk is sent for sale.

The government organisation Aavin and many other private organisations procure milk from these farmers. Aavin procures milk at a cost of Rs.24 to Rs.27 per litre. Private companies offer Rs.30 per litre. After the COVID-19 lockdown, both Aavin and the private companies have reduced the quantity of milk that they procure.

Aavin that used to procure 37 lakh litres has now reduced its procurement to 31 lakh litres. It has reduced the procurement of milk by 15 to 30 percent in each Dairy Cooperative Society. This has collapsed the livelihood of farmers who are involved in milk production. In the meantime, private companies have reduced the quantity of milk being procured and have also cut down the procurement price by half and provide only Rs.15 per litre.

This is the condition all over the state. Farmers have provided a petition requesting that the quantity of milk procured must not be reduced, especially from Omalur, Kadaiyampatti, Tharamangalam, Edappadi, Aathur and Gangavalli in Salem District.

Meanwhile the farmers who are involved in milk production are unable to sell milk at a fair price and are not able to provide the cattle with fodder. Hence, to protect the livelihood of the farmers the state government must immediately offer them help.

The milk producing farmers must be provided with Rs.10,000 as relief each month, as per their request. Further, to protect the livelihood of the farmers the State government must introduce the provision of milk in the mid day meals scheme.

If this scheme is executed then all the milk that is produced can be procured by the government for providing to the students, which will form a part of a nutritious diet.

The association insisted that the government must consider providing milk in the mid day meals as a part of a nutritious diet and to help with the livelihood of the milk producing farmers.

Coimbatore Corporation Vaccinates 700 Street Dogs Against Rabies

Coimbatore Corporation conducted a special vaccination camp in West and East zones where 700 street dogs were vaccinated...

Coimbatore Corporation Census 2027 Reaches 90 percent Completion; ICCC Helpline Numbers Announced for Missed Houses

The first phase of House Listing Census 2027 in Coimbatore Corporation areas has reached 90 percent completion. ICCC hel...

Amaravathi Dam Water Level Rises to 57.52 Feet; Thirumoorthy Dam Records 33.79 Feet

The water level in Amaravathi dam in Tiruppur district has risen to 57.52 feet due to continuous inflow. Thirumoorthy da...

Coimbatore District Dams See Water Level Surge: August 22 Update

Water inflow has significantly increased in Aliyar, Parambikulam, and Sholayar dams in Coimbatore district due to southw...

21 kg of Ganja Seized in Kovilpalayam; Repeat Offender Arrested

Coimbatore District Police seized around 21 kg of ganja during a vehicle check in the Kovilpalayam police station limits...

Coimbatore Corporation Launches Pilot Project to Collect and Recycle Household Textile Waste

The Coimbatore Corporation has launched “Maru Nesavu” (Re-weave), a pilot project in Ward 33 to enable residents to hand...