Cabinet clears Mahanand’s handover to NDDB for 5 yrs

In a major decision, state cabinet on Wednesday approved handover of the Mahanand Dairy management to National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for the next five years to strengthen the apex organisation in the cooperative milk sector.

Mahanand is a venture of Maharashtra State Cooperative Milk Federation Ltd (MSCMFL) and is one of the top cooperative dairies in the state.

It, though, has suffered heavy losses in recent past and hasn’t been able to sustain the brand, officials said. “Necessary agreement will be signed between govt and NDDB for Mahanand’s rehabilitation scheme. The brand Mahanand is an integral part of the lives of farmers and consumers in Maharashtra. Therefore, govt has taken the initiative for the revival of this institution. NDDB is expected to revitalise and empower it by adopting a commercial approach and cooperative principles,” an official said.

“For Mahanand’s professional development, decisions will be taken through the ‘steering committee’ headed by the animal husbandry and dairy development secretary. A total fund of almost Rs 253.6 crore will be made available to Mahanand in the form of equity capital for its revival. While rehabilitating Mahanand, NDDB will try to maintain a three-tier structure of cooperatives. For this, there will be “one village, one milk institution” at the village level. Milk-producing farmers will remain members of the union,” said an official. Apart from the funds required for retirement benefits of Mahanand’s employees, those for the remaining components will be made available with the approval of the animal husbandry and dairying secretary, officials said.