Godavari Dairy starts again

State govt spends Rs 20 crore in putting the dairy back on track.

The Andhra government has revived Vijaya's Godavari Milk Producers Union Limited, popularly known as Godavari Dairy, from October 1, 2007, at a cost of Rs 20 crore.

The age-old dairy, which had gone defunct five years ago, provided employment to over 500 people. It procured 1 lakh litre of milk per day from farmers of nearly 250 villages in East and West Godavari districts.

Besides, it was the major milk provider to the Vijaya dairy, maintained by Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Co-operation Federation Limited (APDDCFL).

Of the total arrears of Rs 1.20 crore, the authorities have disbursed Rs 70 lakh since its revival. P Umadevi, in-charge general manager, said a collection centre in each of the 30 villages in the district had been opened. The dairy at present procures nearly 1,400 litre of milk per day, she added

Three agencies, APDDCFL, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and the Animal Husbandry department with the active participation of women self-help groups (SHGs), are involved in putting the dairy back on track.

While APDDCFL is chipping in with funds to help it start 14 new bulk milk collection units (BMCUs) and milk collection centres, the animal husbandry department is providing 400 milch cattle on a 50 per cent subsidy to the beneficiaries.

These BMCUs would be set up at a cost of Rs 55 lakh each while around 200 village milk collection centres (VMCCs) at a cost of Rs 1.40 lakh each have been planned in nine Assembly segments from Rajahmundry to Mummidivaram.

The DRDA, on its part, would supply the human resource through SHGs, required for the maintenance of BMCUs and VMCCs. It would also impart the necessary training to SHG members in milk collection and maintenance of the centres.

Each cooling unit would be linked to 20 VMCs. The SHGs would be supplied with modern kits including electronic testers besides 40 litre capacity canes.

"The BMCUs would help in procuring nearly 75,000 litre of milk per day. We can then reach the old pattern of procurement," said Umadevi.