Milma's 14% Surge in Milk Procurement Amid Economic Challenges
The Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF), known as Milma, achieved a significant 13.97% increase in milk procurement during the first half of the fiscal year 2025-26. This growth is remarkable given the context of high input costs and competitive pressures from both domestic and international markets. Milma's Chairman, K. S. Mani, attributes this success to the cooperative model's strength and the collective efforts of Kerala's dairy farmers.
From April to September 2025, Milma's average daily milk procurement rose from 10.66 lakh litres to 12.15 lakh litres. This increase was achieved despite a reported decline in the state's cattle population. Daily milk sales also grew by 2.03%, reaching 16.83 lakh litres, which indicates strong consumer trust in Milma's products.
The regional unions of Malabar, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram played vital roles in this success. Malabar led with 6.69 lakh litres per day in procurement, while Ernakulam showed the highest growth rate at 19.28%. These regional performances highlight the effectiveness of localized support measures in stabilizing the supply chain.
Milma's strategy included extensive farmer welfare and support measures. During the six-month period, the regional unions collectively disbursed substantial amounts to farmers: MRCMPU paid ₹4.00 crore in additional milk price and ₹5.47 crore in cattle subsidies, ERCMPU distributed ₹11.23 crore, and TRCMPU paid ₹10.73 crore as additional milk price. Additionally, a subsidy of ₹100 per bag on cattle feed is maintained through December 2025.
Beyond financial support, Milma invested in dairy infrastructure and herd quality through initiatives like Ksheera Samaswasam, Ksheera Sadanam, and Ksheera Swanthanam, focusing on breed improvement and veterinary care. New credit and insurance schemes for high-yielding cows and low-interest loans further demonstrate Milma's commitment to enhancing farmer livelihoods and ensuring a reliable milk supply for consumers.
