Milma's Dairy Revolution: Kerala's Path to Milk Self-Sufficiency

The Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (Milma) is spearheading a strategy to strengthen the state's dairy sector and achieve milk self-sufficiency. By enhancing productivity and supporting farmers, Milma aims to meet domestic demand and overcome pandemic challenges, posting a higher turnover with significant initiatives.

The Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, known as Milma, is leading efforts to bolster the state's cooperative dairy sector and achieve self-sufficiency in milk production, as envisioned by the state government, Milma Chairman K S Mani announced.

Central to this initiative are measures to enhance productivity and support dairy farmers facing rising input costs, Mani detailed in an article marking World Milk Day on June 1.

Highlighting the state's numerous projects aimed at boosting milk production and fulfilling domestic demand, Mani praised the crucial role played by local self-government bodies in implementing these schemes and ensuring farmer welfare.

Milma has notably recovered from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, reporting a turnover of Rs 4,311 crore in 2023-24, and successfully re-positioning its brand with government support.

Despite the high input costs in Kerala's dairy sector, Milma provides the highest milk procurement price to farmers, driving efforts to reduce costs and increase productivity for self-sufficiency.

Bridging the gap between milk production and demand remains a priority, with Milma's daily procurement increasing from 10.31 lakh litres in April to 11.96 lakh litres in May, while sales stood at 17.56 lakh litres.

India's cooperative dairy movement has made significant strides, becoming the world's largest milk producer. Notable contributors include Tribhuvandas Patel and Dr Verghese Kurien, the architect of India's White Revolution.

Milma remains dedicated to cooperative federalism, with over 10 lakh dairy farmers linked to approximately 3,300 primary milk cooperative societies under three regional unions: Malabar, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Milma's contributions to the dairy sector and successful initiatives have garnered multiple accolades, reaffirming its significant role.