Milk union proposed in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 24 SEPT: The animal resources development (ARD) department in Malda has proposed that its new minister Mr Narayan Biswas forms a milk union after finishing the liquidation process of Gour Milk Union. Gour Milk Union which was formed in the '80s is now non-operation here and exists on paper only.After taking charge, the ARD minister Mr Biswas came to Malda and interacted with the district officials concerning the development of this district.“The minister has expressed his interest in forming a new milk union here following our proposal. We proposed that the minister end the existence of Gour Milk Union which is on paper only and to form a new union based on some milk producing blocks,” said Mr NK Sit, deputy director of the ARD. “A milk union is required for farmers producing milk. They are not getting proper prices for milk here. There is a demand for toned milk in Malda and its adjoining markets,” Mr Sit said. At present, Bhagirathi Milk Union in Murshidabad and Mother Dairy both are supplying their products to Malda market.According to a study conducted by the ARD in Malda, some blocks like Kaliachak- I, II and III, Manikchak, Gazole and Harishchandrapur-I and II are producing a huge amount of milk but farmers do not have milk cooperatives. According to Mr Sit, many farmers in Kaliachak-I produce posset and latex (chhana and khoa-khir) but they have to sell their produce at a low price owing to the lack of a milk cooperative there.“We have a plan to organise farmers to produce ‘paneer’ out of milk in Kaliachak-I,” Mr Sit said.