Nov 4, 2020
The state government of Kerala is all set to start a modern milk powder factory in Malappuram.
The decision to construct a state-of-the-art factory with an investment of Rs. 53.93-crore facility under the Milma’s Malabar Regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (MRCMPU) comes when the dairy industry is already witnessing a slump in milk consumption amid the lockdown.
Dairy Development Minister K. Raju, who summoned the meeting here on 3rd November 2020, said the state government had decided in principle to implement the project in association with the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) using the latter’s infrastructure development fund.
The Minister said, a manufacturing unit for milk powder is crucial for the State as it neared its target of achieving self-sufficiency in milk production. Besides, milk production is always an all-time high requirement, necessitating the need to preserve excess milk as powder.
Mr. Raju said the decision to establish a new factory was made as the existing facility meant for the purpose in the State had remained non-operational for a long due to outdated technology.
Nabard Chief General Manager Balachandran, Milma’s MD Patil Suyog Subhashrao, Director of Animal Husbandry K.M. Dileep, Director (in-charge) of Dairy Development M. Prakash and Dairy Development Secretary Tinku Biswal were among those who attended the meeting.