Kerala Delegation Studies Banas Dairy’s Cooperative Model
Kerala examines a cooperative dairy system
A delegation from Kerala travelled to Banas Dairy in Palanpur, in the state of Gujarat, as part of an effort to study the organisation’s operating methods. The group included six members and was headed by Bindhu Krishna, Kerala’s minister for Dairy Development, Milk Cooperatives and Animal Husbandry.
During the visit, officials toured Banas Dairy’s units at Badarpura. They observed how milk is received and processed and were briefed on the production of several categories of dairy goods. The programme covered both core dairy operations and the manufacture of products with additional processing.
The delegation examined the structure through which Banas Dairy combines milk collection, processing and product manufacturing within a cooperative organisation. It also considered the practices associated with the organisation’s development as a large dairy cooperative and their relevance to Kerala’s own dairy system.
Krishna called Banas Dairy an “excellent and replicable model” for India. She said Kerala was assessing which parts of its approach might be adjusted for the state’s requirements. “We will certainly try to adopt the aspects of the Banas Dairy model that are useful and suitable for Kerala,” she said.
The visit included discussions of the systems linking milk producers with organised markets. The Kerala officials gained information on the management of processing activities, the handling of milk and the preparation of different dairy products. The observations covered the chain from collection through manufacturing and distribution to consumers.
Kerala’s interest in the model concerns its dairy infrastructure and milk cooperatives. Areas identified in the source include processing capacity, product diversification, cooperative administration and farmer participation. Any use of practices observed at Banas Dairy would be considered in relation to Kerala’s milk-production patterns, infrastructure, farmer networks and market requirements.
The visit formed part of a wider effort to examine ways of developing Kerala’s dairy sector. Krishna said the delegation had obtained useful information about dairy operations and milk processing. The exchange also represented knowledge-sharing between state authorities and an established cooperative dairy organisation in India.
