Milk production in Kerala has increased: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21 (PTI): Milk production inKerala had increased in the last five years and the governmentwas trying to make available maximum benefits to dairyfarmers, the assembly was told today.

Replying to a calling attention motion by Aryadan Mohammed(Cong) on behalf of Food Minister C Divakaran,Revenue MinisterK P Rajendran said from 21.02 lakh tonne in 2006-07,production had increased to 25.83 lakh tonne in 2009-10. Theexpected production during 2010-11 was 29 lakh tonnes,he said.

While increasing production, the government was also tryingto reduce the cost of production of milk. A sum of Rs 400crore was spent during 2006-11 for implementing variousschemes for dairy farmers.

Milk price was hiked by Rs eight per litre during the LDFgovernment''s tenure, of which Rs six was given to farmers, whowere now getting Rs 18.61 per litre of milk provided toco-operative societies, he said.

Aryadan Mohammed said the cost of milk production hadincreased to Rs 26.27 per litre, according to a study report.

He demanded that the government increase the price of milkcollected from cattle feeders in accordance with cost ofproduction by providing subsidy.