TRCMPU to launch interest-free loan scheme for dairy farmers from Jan 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Dec 22: Thiruvananthapuram Regional Co-operative Milk Producers Union (TRCMPU) of Milma is all set to launch an interest-free loan scheme for dairy farmers from January 1, 2024 to step up milk production and solve the shortfall in procurement.

Under the scheme, the interest on loans taken by dairy farmers from public sector and scheduled banks for buying cattle will be offset by providing subsidy, TRCMPU Chairperson Mrs Mani Viswanadh told a press conference here today.

Mrs Viswanadh said the interest subsidy will be given in proportion to the milk supplied to the cooperatives by each farmer.  TRCMPU has earmarked Rs one crore for implementation interest-free loan scheme, which targets an increase of 25,000 litre of milk daily.

The daily milk procurement of TRCMPU declined to 3,64,952 litre in 2022-23 from 4,09,232 litre in 2021-22, which is targeted to be increased to 3,85,000 litre in 2023-24, she said.    

Elaborating the initiatives of the newly-elected Director Board of TRCMPU, Mrs Viswanadh said each packet of cattle feed being sold by the affiliated cooperatives will be given a subsidy of Rs 150 from January 1.

“The union has decided to strictly ensure the quality of milk being procured from dairy farmers. Apart from the common quality standard test, various other methods such as antibiotic residue detection and aflatoxin detection tests will be conducted,” she said.   

Mrs Viswanadh said that as part of increasing profit from Milma products, the share of dairy products in the total turnover will be scaled up to 25 percent within two years.     

The Thiruvananthapuram regional union clocked a turnover of Rs 1,208 crore in 2022-23 with the products holding a share of 15 percent in it.

Mrs Viswanadh added that along with implementing new initiatives, the current projects and schemes for dairy farmers will go on seamlessly. 

Director Board Members V S Padmakumar and KR Mohanan Pillai and TRCMPU Managing Director Dr Muraly P were also present.