Drought-hit farmers of Vikarabad district turn to dairy industry

Parigi: Dairy industry is developing in Vikarabad district in leaps and bounds as farmers, affected by continued dry spells, set their sights on ancillary industries to farming. Their efforts received a shot in the arm from private as well as government sector paving the way for development of dairy industry in the district. Right from small and marginal farmers to land lords are eking out a livelihood depending on dairy industry. Competing with the private agencies, the farmers are on the road to earning profits exploiting dairy industry to the hilt.

A 10,000-liter capacity milk chilling centre has been set up to lend support to farmers, who are lagging behind in all respects, on October 14, 1972. Daily on an average of over 4250 liters of milk is procured from Puttapahad of Kulkacharla mandal and Inapur, Gudur, Tondapalli and neighbouring villages of Doma mandal. The milk chilled at the chilling center is sent to the Mother Dairy in Hayatnagar on the outskirts of twin cities. Besides, there are eight more private dairies, which are benefiting the farmer directly or indirectly.

The state government on its part has encouraged dairy development with a view to encourage the ancillary industries to the agriculture. The district has a population of over 9,27,140. Five years ago, the number of cattle head was reduced drastically. On account of the continued dry spell, the farmers focused on rearing milch animals. The Chief Minister, K Chandrashekar Rao,announcedin the September last that the government supports the farmers by sanctioning a buffalo to each house hold under a government scheme. The farmers took part in the scheme with enthusiasm and applied to derive benefit under it. The scheme received a overwhelming response from the target group.

Incentives of Rs 24 lakh payable to 1,000 dairy farmers under the Parigi milk chilling limits and Rs 4.20 lakh under the limits of Tandur chilling centre were credited direct into the bank accounts of the farmers. The center has given its green signal to constitute the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) and decided to allocate Rs 10,881 crore during the 10-year period commencing from the fiscal year 2018-19. The Mother Dairy on the outskirts of twin cities is able to procure only 20-lakh liters needed by residents of twin cities as against the required 30-lakh liters.

A farmer is able to earn an incentive of Rs 9,000 a month supplying 20 litres of milk daily. The farmer says that the family is able to meet expenses of school children fees and agriculture input requirements. Another farmer who supplies at least five to six liters to the chilling center daily earned Rs 5,000 as incentive. The family is able to meet its needs and requirements.