PATACHARKUCHI, June 4 � The Bajali Co-ordination Committee of the Dairy Co-operative Societies under the Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project (AACP), Barpeta in Bajali subdivision has demanded the setting up of a milk processing unit and chilling plant at Bajali and also to revise the price of milk as the farmers of the area are producing a record amount of milk through dairy farming.
In the last few years, dairy farming has changed the entire picture of the rural economy in the area. Farmers of various age groups and the educated unemployed youths of the rural areas have been generating employment opportunities by taking up dairy farming through cross-bred cows.
Various representatives of the coordination committee expressed their anguish at a press meet held at Patacharkuchi Press Club office recently. They said that their approximate cost of production of milk per litre at present is Rs 28-29 approximately as the prices of fodder and medicines are increasing alarmingly. The Purabi Dairy which procures a huge amount of milk from the farmers through Dairy Cooperative societies had fixed price of milk at Rs 27.50 considering 4% fat and 8 % SNF in April 2013, but till date they have not shown any interest in revising the prices of milk though demanded by the milk producers, they alleged. They also informed that during the period, prices of various commodities relating to cattle farming have increased landing the farmers in deep trouble. Even though Purabi had promised to provide various facilities to the farmers, nothing has materialised. At a time when Purabi is selling milk at a rate of Rs 40-45 per litre, the farmer should get a reasonable price of Rs 35, they demanded. They further demanded that various facilities be provided to the farmers to encourage them, so that in future this effort may continue.
Among others Sripad Choudhury, president, Naren Choudhury, secretary of the samiti, Bharat Kalita, executive member, Haripad Baishya, Khyma Nath Sarma, chairman of Barpeta District Milk Union, Bimal Sarma, progressive farmer were present on the occasion.
