Noting that Kerala Government’s interventions in the dairy sector in the last eight years have contributed to a significant increase in milk production and thereby strengthening the rural economy, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said Milma has played a pivotal role in this remarkable stride.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a function held here for the launch of the ‘Ksheerasree’ portal set up by the Dairy Development Department and marketing of two new products of Milma- Cashew Vita Powder and bottled Tender Coconut Water.

Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Ms J Chinchurani launched Milma’s new products by presenting them to V K Prashant MLA and Milma Chairman K S Mani at the function.

“The dairy sector has had a major facelift in the last eight years. In 2021, the LDF government came out with a 22-point action plan to ramp up the dairy sector. This action plan, which included providing financial support to increase the daily milk production, promoting milk cooperative societies, providing better veterinary services and increasing supply of cattle feed, had been successfully implemented. As a result, we have been able to increase milk production significantly and are now on the verge of attaining self-sufficiency,” the Chief Minister said.

“The network of around 3500 milk cooperative societies under Milma across the state is the backbone of our dairy sector. The government is committed to further strengthening this sector by taking into account the interests of the marginal and small-scale dairy farmers, realising the importance of the dairy sector for the rural economy. During this period, large-scale dairy farms run on industrial scale have also come up,” he noted.

Referring to the Ksheerasree portal, an online system facilitating the seamless collection and distribution of milk from dairy cooperatives, he said this is a first-of-its-kind facility in the country, enabling the integration of all government services for the dairy sector under one umbrella.

“Leveraging digital technology is a vital for the growth dairy sector and Ksheerasree portal is a major step in that direction,” he said.

“Ksheerasree portal enables the correct evaluation of the quantity and quality of milk given by the farmers. Farmers can now submit applications for financial aid and other government services through this portal and the eligible applicants will get the government benefits credited directly to their bank account through this portal,” he said.

Introducing Milma’s new products to the market, Smt Chinchurani said that in the last two years Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF), known by brand Milma, has come up with a bouquet of innovative products catering to the needs of the fast-paced lifestyle and changing demands. Cashew Vita Powder and Bottled Tender Coconut Water are the latest of this initiative, the Minister said.

“These products are healthier alternatives to other health drinks available in the market,” Chinchurani noted.

K S Mani said by winning the Gopal Ratna award for the best milk cooperative society consecutively for three years, Milma has shown a new model of success in the dairy sector.

“Our milk is ranked the first for quality, as per the survey conducted by the central government.

This was a proud moment for Milma. We also improved the veterinary care for cattle, and the Malabar Regional Union made a pioneering initiative by developing ayurvedic medicines for 8 illnesses affecting cattle and won Drug Controller License, a first in the country,” he said.

V K Prashant MLA presided over the function held at Mascot Hotel while Asif K Yusuf, Director, Dairy Development Department and Milma Managing Director delivered the Welcome address.

Ms Mani Vishwanadh, Chairperson, Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (TRCMPU); MT Jayan, Chairman, Ernakulam Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (ERCMPU); VP Unnikrishnan, Chairman, Dairy Farmers Welfare Fund Board and Ms Shalini Gopinath, Joint Director, Dairy Development Department also attended the function.

Cashew Vita Powder, is a cashew-based health drink introduced by Milma in association with Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Ltd. The product, developed at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, and is manufactured using the latest technology.

Cashew Vita can be stored for six months and can be consumed by mixing with milk. The product comes in three flavours—Chocolate, Pista and Vanilla in packets of 250 gm and is priced at Rs 460, Rs 325 and Rs 260 respectively.

Tender coconut water, processed and bottled by Milma without losing any of its nutritional value, targets both local and international markets. It is made using latest technology without any human contact during the entire processing. The product comes in 200 ml bottles and can be used for 9 months from manufacturing date and is priced at Rs 40 per bottle.

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