Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The Orissa Milk Farmers’ Association (OMFA) met agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy at the Secretariat here Wednesday seeking fulfillment of their five-point charter of demands including introduction of milk products in Mid-day Meal (MDM), Aahar and ICDS schemes.
OMFA head Rabi Behera said, “The state government should introduce milk products in MDM, Aahar and ICDS schemes in lines with others states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Goa.”
“The move will not only help curb distress sale of milk and benefit dairy farmers, but also help reducing malnutrition among people, especially children, in the state,” he added.
The association pressed for a minimum support price of `30 per litre to encourage dairy farming.
They also sought withdrawal of the decision of Omfed to go for a dairy holiday in every 10 days.
Notably, dairy farmers in Bargarh had drained over 14,000 litres of milk on road alleging that Omfed was not procuring milk from the farmers.
The members also demanded provision of loans to dairy farmers at cheaper interest rates- one/two per cent.
The association members said the minister told them to hold another round of meeting to address their issues.
