Nine milk unions face losses but DKMUL thrives under KMF

Karnataka dairy farmers are second in the country as far as milk production is concerned. But there are ominous signs for their future as nine milk unions out of 14 in the state are continuously incurring losses. Because of corona-related lockdowns, weekend curfew, and defects in the efficient management of milk unions, the milk unions are accumulating huge losses.

Bengaluru milk union, which collects the highest quantity of milk in the state, made losses continuously from April to September last year and is showing signs of some recovery thereafter. Still, it is facing a net loss of Rs 58.34 crore. Kolar milk union has faced 21.65 crore loss while Mandya milk union has recorded loss of Rs 31.81 crore.

Mysuru milk union lost Rs 5.3 crore, Tumakuru union Rs 10.11 crore, and Shivamogga Rs 9.7 crore.

Several milk unions which suffered initial losses, showed signs of recovery after a couple of months. Dakshina Kannada Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited (DKMUL) has made a profit of Rs 2.38 crore. Kalaburagi milk union’s profit is at Rs 2.05 crore, Dharwad Rs 1.02 crore. Hassan Rs 87 lac and Belagavi milk union Rs 31.47 lac.