Milk union caps fresh milk sale at 2 litres per person amid supply crunch

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK, :The Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited (SCMU) today said they will conduct mass inspections of its registered milk-selling agencies and has capped fresh milk sales at two litres per person amid a supply shortage triggered by a sharp rise in market demand.

SCMU said they will conduct joint inspections with the weight and measures division of the Food and Civil Supplies department at all its registered agencies to ensure adequate supply of fresh milk.

The union has also directed all registered agencies to cap the sale of fresh milk at two litres per person and display rate boards showing the prices of all SCMU products at their shops.

SCMU managing director Dr. T.B.Ghatani said the Union had received information about a shortage of fresh milk in the market, despite an increase in milk procurement compared to previous years.

“The procurement has increased, but the market demand has also risen by more than 49 per cent to around 13,000 litres, resulting in a mismatch between demand and supply,”Ghatani said.

He said the Union currently procures around 60,000 litres of milk, but the increase in market demand has led to a temporary shortfall.

To meet the State's requirement, the SCMU has approached the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI), of which it is a registered member, for procurement of milk from other States.

“The federation has assured us that the requirement will be met from the nearest States. We have requested up to 30,000 litres on an as-and-when-required basis, subject to the supplying union meeting SCMU standards," Ghatani said.

The SCMU has also decided to conduct a mass inspection in coordination with the weight and measures division to check the supply and sale of its products through registered agencies.

Ghatani said the union was providing BIS Type-I cattle feed at the doorstep of dairy societies registered with it, which helps improve the quality and productivity of milk.

However, only around 25-30 per cent of dairy farmers are currently using the cattle feed, he said, adding that wider adoption could help unlock the production potential of milch cattle.

With support from the State government, Animal Husbandry department and the union, milk production in Sikkim has grown significantly over the years, he said.

Ghatani said the SCMU aims to further increase milk production by encouraging more dairy farmers and meeting the growing demand through locally produced milk.

"Dairy is the backbone of the rural economy. If we are able to meet the enhanced market demand, the rural economy will get a major boost," he said.

The union procures fresh milk from farmers at rates based on fat and SNF content.

Ghatani also appealed consumers to purchase fresh milk and other SCMU products only from registered agencies to ensure quality.

Ghatani said the union has learnt that some unregistered vendors are purchasing SCMU milk from registered agencies and reselling it. “We do not know how these unregistered vendors transport or store the milk. If it is not stored in a proper refrigerator, the quality can deteriorate.”

He expressed confidence that the shortfall would be addressed once milk procured from outside the State reaches the market, and there would be no continuing crisis.