Milgram to launch Rs 500 crore dairy village project

{image-milgram group_13062008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Kochi, June 13: In a bid to increase milk production in Kerala, the State-based Milgram Group will be launching a Rs 500 crore 'Milgram Dairy Village Development Project' at Mlamala in Idukki district.

Speaking to reporters here last evening, company Director Korah John said the dairy farm complex, spread across 600 acres with 150 dairy farms, would have 50,000 highly productive cattle and comprise high tech dairying with international standards and state-of-the art farm houses. In the first phase, the project would have around 4,000 to 5,000 cows with an expected milk production of 50,000 litres and the production would be scaled up to five lakh litres by increasing the number of cattle to 50,000 in due course.

The project would be funded through investments from NRIs, banks, public participation and the parent company itself, he added.

An independent farmhouse would have a minimum of 2.5 acres of land, a farm shed, farm equipment, ten high breed cows or heifers and a vermicompost unit for a minimum investment of Rs 22.95 lakh.

The project, which included 25,000 farmers and 250 milk collection centres, also aimed at increasing the quality of milk by procuring high quality milk from Idukki district and distributing it across the State.

Dr John noted that the State was meeting only 55 per cent of the total demand and the rest was being bought from other States.

Milgram, a HACCP certificate holder, tried to mitigate the problems of rising production cost and unscientific procurement systems harming the dairy farmers and their development, he said.

State Civil Supplies and Animal Husbandry Minister C Divakaran would inaugurate the project on Sunday.

UNI