Several reform measures are on the horizon, says BJP MLA and Belagavi District Milk Union President, Balachandra Jarkiholi. The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) is set to establish a state-of-the-art mega-dairy in Belagavi, as announced by the president of the Belagavi District Milk Union and BJP MLA, Balachandra Jarkiholi, during the union’s annual general body meeting on Monday.
This new facility will leverage advanced technology to process milk and produce dairy products, providing significant benefits to farmers by boosting demand and expanding the market for their products, thereby ensuring fair prices.
Jarkiholi also revealed plans to increase the number of village-level milk cooperative societies in the district from the current 648 to 1,000.
This year, the union inaugurated a post-matric hostel for the daughters of dairy farmers, which has already started admitting students.
Expressing concerns about the disparity between milk unions in North and South Karnataka, Jarkiholi highlighted the lower procurement levels in northern districts. He emphasized the need for incentives to increase both the number of participating farmers and their milk procurement rates.
Jarkiholi also addressed the dominance of certain officials in decision-making processes within the unions, stressing that this undemocratic practice must be stopped. He pledged to fully understand KMF’s operational system and hold officials accountable.
To further support farmers, he committed to ensuring that milk suppliers receive payments within 10 days or sooner, while also focusing on strengthening the financial stability of the unions and federation.
He encouraged union members and officials to work towards gaining customer confidence, with the aim of making the Belagavi union the best in the state. Currently, the union procures over nine lakh liters of milk daily and leads in buffalo milk production. Jarkiholi urged farmers to increase buffalo milk production, highlighting its higher market value as A2 milk.
Notably, Belagavi’s strategic location along the border of two states offers significant market potential. Jarkiholi also praised the union’s stable pricing practices, contrasting it with private dairies that frequently adjust procurement prices.
Union directors and key officials, including Managing Director Krishnappa M., were present at the meeting.
