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Gokul initiates milk revolution in 1,200 Kolhapur villages
Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Oct 19: Perhaps second only to Amul in milk cooperatives, `Gokul` has emerged as a household name in this region of around 1,200 villages, channelising production by over half a million farmers.
Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Oct 19: Perhaps second only
to Amul in milk cooperatives, 'Gokul' has emerged as a
household name in this region of around 1,200 villages,
channelising production by over half a million farmers.
At a time when the country is facing milk shortages on
account of drought, the region has been able to withstand the
calamity thanks to the sound dairy cooperative management
practices here, say villagers.
"Regular cash flow with timely payment of remunerative prices to farmers every 10 days has ensured sound milk economy for 5.10 lakh producers in 1,190 villages", Managing Director, Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh, A D Deshpande, told reporters.
He said the 'Gokul' milk brand had over 70 per cent market share in Kolhapur region with local sales of around 76,800 litres every day. In addition, it was selling 20,170 litres in Pune and 3.21 lakh litres in Mumbai daily.
The cooperative's Assistant General Manager R C Shah said gokul was not about milk production alone; it has helped sustain the region's economy with 1,800 full time employees, 6,000 part time and thousands getting indirect employment.
He said the dairy was giving technical inputs to farmers with free mobile veterinary services, artificial insemination centres and subsidised cattle feed.
"The dairy plant here has already been upgraded, it does not need any expansion for the next five years, our peak capacity utilisation is around 90 per cent at 6.28 lakh litres per day (llpd) and will touch 100 per cent by 2005," Deshpande added.
Bureau Report
"Regular cash flow with timely payment of remunerative prices to farmers every 10 days has ensured sound milk economy for 5.10 lakh producers in 1,190 villages", Managing Director, Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh, A D Deshpande, told reporters.
He said the 'Gokul' milk brand had over 70 per cent market share in Kolhapur region with local sales of around 76,800 litres every day. In addition, it was selling 20,170 litres in Pune and 3.21 lakh litres in Mumbai daily.
The cooperative's Assistant General Manager R C Shah said gokul was not about milk production alone; it has helped sustain the region's economy with 1,800 full time employees, 6,000 part time and thousands getting indirect employment.
He said the dairy was giving technical inputs to farmers with free mobile veterinary services, artificial insemination centres and subsidised cattle feed.
"The dairy plant here has already been upgraded, it does not need any expansion for the next five years, our peak capacity utilisation is around 90 per cent at 6.28 lakh litres per day (llpd) and will touch 100 per cent by 2005," Deshpande added.
Bureau Report