The milk federation is confident milk production will rise in the coming months.
Despite the fall in the production of milk in the southern states due to lumpy skin disease, Karnataka will not be importing any dairy products from other countries to make up for the loss.
The Karnataka Department of Animal Husbandry has denied any decision in regard to importing milk. Munireddy, Director of Quality Assurance and Production of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) said, “No milk products will be imported.”
Salma K Fahim, Secretary of Karnataka Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department said, “We have not received any proposals or updates about importing milk products for southern India.”
In a written reply to Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying revealed that in the state of Karnataka, 29,717 cattle had died due to the lumpy disease. At the same time, more than one crore of cattle have been vaccinated in India. “We have tried to vaccinate 98 percent of the cattle as the pregnant cattle could not be vaccinated,” said Fahim.
Dr R Vijaylashmi, head of the Animal Husbandry Department of Annamalai University said, “Once cattle are affected with the lumpy disease, they cannot be used for further used for milking, even after the treatment.” Thus, milk production is affected.
In order to help the farmers the KMF introduced compensation for the dead animals. The farmers were paid Rs. 28,000 per dead animal, said Fahim. Teams on the ground level were also available to help the farmers.
The federation as a short-term measure is now looking to increase milk prices due to the shortage. “There is competition from private entities. The federations also have to be competitive. Just like Amul which had also increased the price of its products, the market dynamics have to be looked at,” said Fahim.
The KMF is however confident about the increase in milk production in the coming months. “Milk procurement is increasing,” said Munireddy. He added that milk production will increase between July and September.
