The Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation has decided to oppose the sale of Karnataka Milk Federation’s Nandini dairy products in the state.
The Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, also known as Milma, has decided to oppose the sale of Karnataka Milk Federation’s Nandini dairy products in the state.
Milma Malabar Region Cooperative Milk Producers Union chairman KS Mani said the issue would be raised in the next board of directors meeting of the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India.
KS Mani told India today that it was morally incorrect for the milk federations in the country to break some routines and practices they have been following for so long. He said he had given a letter against the decision of Karnataka Corporate Milk producers to open its outlets in Kerala, but they ignored it.
“Karnataka Corporate Milk producers had decided to do business in Kerala even before the Amul-Nandini issue, which was much discussed in the Karnataka Assembly elections. Amul’s decision to start a business in Karnataka was wrong, but Nandini has no moral right to oppose it”, said Milma Malabar Region Union chairman.
“Milk federations should work not just for commercial interests but for the welfare of dairy farmers in their state”, KS Mani added.
He also pointed out that the cooperative institution of one state directly interfering in the market of the cooperative institution of another was against the principles and basic values of cooperation.
“Milma mainly depends on Karnataka’s Nandini and Aavin of Tamil Nadu during the festive seasons and when milk production is low in Kerala. So, it is not right to make Milma, which is a good customer of Nandini, bothered by the selling of a few litres of milk, said the Milma’s chairman.
He said that the launch of Nandini’s products in Kerala was not affecting Milma.
“As per the last six-month figure, there has been a significant growth in our product sales,” said KS Mani, adding Nandini’s arrival may affect other players in the Kerala market.
“It is not right for Amul, the parent of milk federations in the country, to do business in such a way that affects the federations and dairy farmers of other states. Milma is trying to solve the problems through discussion and not planning for any legal procedure,” KS Mani added.
Nandini has opened their outlets in Mancheri and Tirur in the Malappuram district and Kochi in the Ernakulam district, and Pandalam in the Pathanamthitta district.
Nandini products are also available in supermarkets in major cities in Kerala.
