Milk procurement rises to 5.2 lakh litres in Tiruchi

The milk procurement by Tiruchi Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, a member of the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation that owns the Aavin brand, has crossed 5.20 lakh litres a day on an average.

The union, one of the oldest and highest milk procurement and processing unions, procures milk from 612 cooperative societies in Tiruchi, Ariyalur, and Perambalur districts. Perambalur and Tiruchi district account for more than 65% of the procurement by the union. It procures milk from about 51,000 suppliers, who are attached to various cooperative societies.

According to sources, there has been a steady rise in milk procurement since December mainly because of large-scale growth of green grass in rural areas of Tiruchi, Ariyalur, and Perambalur districts in the aftermath of northeast monsoon. The volume of procurement has been constantly exceeding the 5-lakh litre mark daily over the last few days. It was 5.10 lakh litres on Friday. It touched 5.20 lakh litres on Saturday.

The average procurement stands at 5.10 lakh litres a day since January 1. While Ariyalur contributes about 96,000 litres, Perambalur and Tiruchi contribute about 2.10 lakh litres each. It is expected to go up in the coming weeks.

“Green pastures have resurfaced in many parts, thereby supporting the animals that go for grazing. We ensure regular supply of inputs and cattle feed to the members of milk cooperative societies. These factors help us meet the procurement target,” says a senior official of the Tiruchi dairy.

The official added that the prevailing climate was good for rearing milch animals. The procurement might witness a slight dip in view of the Pongal festival as a section of farmers would avoid supplying milk to the societies. However, the procurement would increase again after the Pongal festival. The figure was expected to touch 5.5 lakh litres a day in February.

Of the total procurement, about 1..45 lakh litres of milk a day was earmarked for sale in Tiruchi, Perambalur, and Ariyalur districts. About 3 lakh litre a day was sent to Aavin in Chennai. About 75,000 litres a day was used to be converted into milk powder at the Aavin facilities across the State.

Published - January 11, 2025 06:59 pm IST