Nagaland: DIMUL records highest milk procurement

Chairman, Dimapur District Cooperative Milk Union Ltd (DIMUL), presenting the annual report at the 22nd annual general meeting of DIMUL held on November 15. (Morung Photo) 
 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 15

In a boost to the local dairy sector, the Dimapur District Cooperative Milk Union Ltd (DIMUL) has recorded the highest milk procurement in the history of the milk union with a total milk procurement of 14.74 lakh litres during 2018-19.

This is 2.57 lakh litres up from the milk procurement in the previous fiscal year (2017-18), which stood at 12.17 lakh litres.

Making the announcement at the 22nd annual general meeting of DIMUL on Friday, chairman of board of directors, DIMUL, Arü Khate, who presented the annual report said while the milk demand continues to increase, milk procurement too has steadily improved over the years.

The DIMUL chairman said the rapidly growing markets for livestock products in general, and dairy products in particular, are opening new avenues for enhancing rural incomes.

Khate said over the years, the milk union has capitalized on the phenomenal growth potential of the retail market by remaining competitive with quality products and brands, which have been well accepted even outside the state.

He said during 2018-19, DIMUL recorded a total sales turnover of Rs. 1529.93 lakhs, an increase of 14.18% from the preceding fiscal year. Popular DIMUL products include toned milk, Lassi, Misti Dahi, Plain Dahi, Ice-cream, Peda and Paneer.

Khate said with cash flows becoming more regular and reliable, milk production is changing from being a subsidiary economic activity to a major economic activity for many rural households, and in some cases, the main source of income.

The DIMUL chairman further said productivity enhancement through artificial insemination (IA) has become a focus area of DIMUL and that in the past few years, the union has been providing AI service free of cost to the farmer’s doorstep.

Principal, Co-operative Training Centre, Medziphema, Bendangtula Jamir, who also graced the AGM, said DIMUL has become one of the best success stories of cooperative movement in Nagaland.

Bendangtula also highlighted some key areas of attention for progressive and successful cooperative dairy movement in Dimapur district. She underscored the need to impart cooperative education including bookkeeping, accounting and management, as increase in business and production would happen only when members running the cooperative societies are trained and educated.

She also advocated for increase of women membership in dairy cooperatives as women are primarily shoulder animal husbandry related responsibilities in rural areas.

Chief executive officer, DIMUL, Dr. Mhasizokho, presented the budget proposal for the year 2020-21 and also officiated the presentation of awards to best performing dairy cooperative societies (DCSs) and others.

This year, the highest milk production DCS award was bagged by Kikhruhu DCS, Chümoukedima; best producer award went to Timikha Koza; best dealer award to Krishna Enterprise, Jorhat, and best retailer to SB Bakery Sweets, Chümoukedima.

Earlier, manager (P&QC) DIMUL, Er Meyie-ü Mero, delivered the welcome address.