BEMUL crosses daily procurement of 3 lakh kg of milk

The Belagavi District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Societies Union (BEMUL) is procuring over 3 lakh kg litres per day from farmers in Belagavi district. “This is a historic achievement for us. We had never reached such levels in the past,” Balachandra Jarkiholi, BEMUL Chairman and MLA, said in a release.

The daily procurement includes 65,000, or around 21%, of buffalo milk categorised as A2 milk. The highest quantity of buffalo milk is procured from Belagavi among all Northern Karnataka districts.

Mr. Jarkiholi said the cooperative was providing several benefits to farmers, apart from settling all dues on time.

“We are providing facilities like rubber mats, fodder-cutting machines, and milking machines to members at a 60% discount. Cooperative societies that own their own land are being granted ₹5 lakh each for the construction of new office and processing plant buildings. Insurance coverage at subsidised rates is provided for cattle. Under the ‘Farmer Welfare Association’ scheme, compensation of ₹60,000 is provided to the legal heirs of a deceased member. Term insurance coverage is extended to the secretaries and staff of milk producers’ cooperative societies,” he said.

The union has taken measures to transform dairy farming into a profitable enterprise for farmers by providing training to milk producers, emergency veterinary care for livestock, and high-quality services. He urged farmers to supply more to BEMUL rather than to private dairies. “Farmers will lose the additional benefits by supplying their produce to private entities,” he said.  

The greener taluks with assured irrigation, like Mudalagi, Athani, Gokak, Khanapur and Belagavi, produce the largest amount of milk, while drier taluks like Nippani, Kagwad and Chikkodi produce the least, according to the release.