Kozhikode: As the lockdown imposed to counter coronavirus spread continues, Tamil Nadu has decided to not buy milk from Kerala. As shops remain closed these days, Milma has been exporting excess milk to Tamil Nadu for milk powder manufacturing.
Milma was able to collect milk from all dairy farmers as the excess milk could be exported. But, now Tamil Nadu has issued a circular saying they no longer will collect milk from Kerala leaving Milma in a crisis.
At present, on an average 6.5 lakh litres of milk is collected from Malabar region on a daily basis. Only 3 lakh litres are being sold and some amount is used for the manufacture of milk products. The excess milk was exported for manufacturing of milk powder.
In Kerala, there is only one milk powder manufacturing centre at PDDP in Ernakulam where only less quantity can be produced.
There are around 1 lakh dairy farmers in Malabar region. The decision of Tamil Nadu will adversely affect these dairy farmers.
The issue has been brought to the attention of concerned officials in the government. If no resolve is made within Monday, severe regulations need to be made in milk collection from Wednesday, Milma Malabar Regional Chairman K. S. Mani told mathrubhumi.com
