DKMUL Bags National Dairy Excellence award and Quality Mark from NDDB
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada Co-operative Milk producer’s Union Ltd Kulshekar and Udupi received a Logo of ‘Quality Mark’ and National Dairy Excellence award from National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The programme was held at Hotel Ocean Pearl here on October 11.
The director of DKMUL Dr Nataraj briefed on Nandini products to the gathering. The National Dairy Excellence award and Logo of Quality Mark was presented to the President of DKMUL Raviraj Hegde by the officials of NDDB Jay Singhania. Deputy Commissioner Dr Jagadeesha released the new logo of the Quality Mark.
Addressing the gathering DC Dr Jagadeesha said, “We got our independence in 1947 after which there were deaths due to starvation but now we are self-sufficient in producing food grains and milk. In some areas we produce in excess because of two main factors, they are the Green revolution and the White revolution. In the Green revolution, short high breeds were introduced and the production was increased especially in the produce of serials. In the White revolution, we have introduced Exotic breeds and started the milk co-operative society movement. After Gujarat, Karnataka has successfully implemented the milk co-operative society movement. How Amulya is popular in other states, similarly Nandini also is popular”.
DC Dr Jagadeesha further said, “Because of the milk co-operative society movement the farmers were assured of the market and price. Because of the White Revolution, the interference of the middlemen was completely stopped. Farmers are running the co-operative societies and the payment for their produce is transferred directly to their account which is the major impact on the life of farmers. The consumer has also benefitted because the milk is directly delivered to the consumer for a reasonable price. Four years ago there was a problem in KMF when excess milk was converted to milk powder in large quantity. But without the sale of milk powder suffered loss. They had no opportunity to sell the Milk powder in the retail market. The Government implemented a scheme for school and Anganwadi children to distribute milk and now the children are getting flavoured milk. Because of this scheme, the report says the number of children suffering from malnutrition has decreased in Dakshina Kannada. Now there are only 107 children affected by malnutrition because of hereditary problems. In the state the white revolution is very successful. From the past 10 years, the DKMUL has achieved a lot and the National Dairy Development Board has awarded the National Dairy Excellence award. In South India, the DKMUL is the only organization to receive this award and in the country, DKMUL is the second organization to get this award. I congratulate the entire team of DKMUL. Let this achievement benefit the farmers, consumers and the children. Let DKMUL grow and be a model for the entire country.”
Speaking on the occasion Jay Singhania said, “I congratulate the DKMUL for having received the National Dairy Excellence award. The team efforts of DKMUL has brought them this award. The Quality Mark was initiated by NDDB 2 years ago. The award comes with the logo which was registered under the trademark in 1995. The logo indicates that the customers buying this milk in the pouch having the logo can be assured with peace of mind. The product goes through several checks such as internal testing, external testing, pre-assessment and final assessment. It is a scheme introduced by NDDB to impart distinct identity to cooperative and allied dairy sector in the country thereby developing a quality culture among co-operatives to facilitate enhanced consumer confidence and improved brand image and also export worthiness of the organization”.
Speaking on the occasion Raviraj Hegde said, “DKMUL is one of the leading Milk Unions in the state of Karnataka which started in 1986, the Union’s milk procurement was 4,500 KPD. Now the Union is procuring 411000 KPD through 707 dairy co-operative societies. In the beginning, the Union had procured 80% of its requirement of milk from neighbouring and other Milk Unions of KMF and now the Union is at the threshold of becoming self-reliant by increasing local milk procurement. The Union has 707 functioning Dairy Co-op Societies. The Union has established 194 Women Dairy co-op Societies in its jurisdiction out of which 137 WDCS are under STEP programme of the government of India. The MPCS are having 131435 farmer members out of which 38108 are women. Our future plan is to set up an ice cream plant at the existing Manipal Dairy, the addition of bulk milk coolers year by year for 100% coverage based on procurement growth and the introduction of Milk products. Nandini is a quality product, all farmers, directors and consumers are instruments of DKMUL to reach this height.”
Director DKMUL Divakar Shetty delivered the vote of thanks.