Belagavi: Belagavi District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (BEMUL) has recorded its highest-ever daily milk procurement of 3 lakh kg, union president and Arabhavi MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi said.BEMUL procures 2.3 lakh kg of cow milk and 65,000 kg of buffalo milk daily across Belagavi district.Raibag is the largest contributor among the taluks, supplying 61,800 kg daily, followed by Mudalagi with 32,400 kg, Athani 31,400 kg, Gokak 30,000 kg, Khanapur 26,300 kg and Ramdurg 20,900 kg. Savadatti and Yaragatti together supply 27,200 kg.Belagavi, Kittur, Bailhongal, Hukkeri, Chikkodi, Kagawad and Nippani have also contributed significantly.Jarkiholi attributed the record to growth in the dairy sector, milk producers’ efforts, cooperation from village dairy societies and BEMUL’s efficient functioning. He said dairy farmers, milk society office-bearers and secretaries, BEMUL directors and employees had contributed to the achievement.BEMUL provides rubber mats, fodder-cutting machines and milking machines to milk producer members at a 60% subsidy. Milk societies owning land receive grants of Rs 5 lakh each to construct buildings.The union also offers subsidised insurance for dairy animals and compensation of Rs 60,000 to families of deceased members under its Farmers’ Welfare Scheme. Milk society secretaries and employees are covered by term insurance.BEMUL conducts training programmes, provides emergency veterinary services and extends other support aimed at making dairy farming profitable and sustainable.Jarkiholi urged farmers supplying milk to private dairies to join BEMUL and access benefits available through the cooperative network. He appealed to producers to supply quality milk to the union.He said BEMUL would continue increasing milk production, maintaining quality, improving farmers’ incomes and strengthening the region’s cooperative dairy sector.
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