Dharmapuri farmers urge Aavin to make value-added products

VALUE-ADDED dairy products go a long way in improving the livelihood of farmers, especially in the district where the rural economy thrives on milk production.

- JEVIN SELWYN HENRY @Dharmapuri

Farmers in Dharmapuri have urged Aavin to increase milk procurement by producing branded value-added dairy products like curd, buttermilk, butter, etc here. Now, no value-added products are made in the district by the state milk cooperative.

Dharmapuri district has over 3.5 lakh cattle and buffaloes. More than 5 lakh litres of milk is produced from these animals daily. Aavin procures about 1.25 lakh litres, while the rest is procured by private dairy companies.

Farmers are dissatisfied with the situation and urged Aavin to take steps to increase procurement. They said products like curd, buttermilk, paneer could be sold at affordable prices.

This could improve procurement and improve profits, farmers said.