Trivandrum: Thiruvananthapuram Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (TRCMPU) of Milma today introduced to market its one-litre ‘Cow Milk’ bottle, as part of its product diversification initiative aimed at increasing its market share and also targeting its Onam sales.
Minister for Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development, Smt J Chinchurani launched the new product at a function presided over by the Finance Minister, Shri K N Balagopal.
Priced at Rs. 70, ‘Milma Cow Milk’ will initially be available in Milma’s sales outlets, agencies, and distributors in Thiruvananthapuram district. Subsequently, it will reach Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts as well.
Lauding the deep commitment of Milma and its regional milk producers’ unions to dairy farmers, the Minister noted that they pass the bulk of their profit to farmers through diverse welfare schemes. While TRCMPU registered a record profit of Rs. 39 crores in the last financial year, 83 per cent of it was given back to farmers by way of incentives, subsidies, cattle feed subsidies and low interest rates, from which the state’s dairy sector has benefited immensely, the Minister said.
“We can’t allow the import of milk products as that would adversely affect the dairy farmers of the state, pushing the dairy sector into a grave crisis, resulting in revenue loss and mass unemployment. To counter this, we have to increase our market competence and capabilities by introducing new products that can compete with international brands. Milma, with its innovative new products, is leading the way in this regard”, said the Finance Minister.
He noted that 14 lakh farmers are being sustained by the state’s dairy sector. Stressing the importance of diversification, he said the milk powder factory opened at Moorkanad has the capacity to convert around 2 lakh litres of milk into milk powder. This was a strategic move by the government to utilise surplus milk production, much of which went to waste during the Covid period.
TRCMPU Chairman, Smt Mani Vishwanadh; TRCMPU MD, Mohammed Ansari C A; Director, Dairy Development Department, Smt Shalini Gopinath; and TRCMPU Board Members were present on the occasion. Best performing dealers, agents, and dairy units of the 2024-25 were also honoured at the event.