Unable to face competition, Vijaya Dairy loses sheen in East Godavari

Rajamahendravaram: Vijaya Dairy lost its sheen and glory om the last 15 years owing to the lethargy of the government as well as tough competition from private dairies.

The dairy, which was the highest milk producer in undivided state, is now desperate for funds and support from the government. Farmers supplying milk to the dairy are expressing concern over the pathetic condition of the cooperative.

The main reason for the dairy's downfall is the less rate being paid to the farmers who are supplying milk compared with private dairies. The private dairies are paying higher amount per a litre of milk and the government is not increasing the for Vijaya Dairy.

Because of this, many farmers are supplying the milk to private dairies though they are interested to supply to Vijaya Dairy.

Another reason is after the division of the state, the milk supply to Telangana state was stopped, dealing a major blow to the dairy.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Monday, Vijaya Dairy deputy director P Uma Devi said that they were paying Rs 54.60 per litre to the farmers as against the private dairies which are paying Rs 60 to Rs 62 per litre, which is hampering the development of the dairy.

Currently, the dairy is collecting 3,000 litres milk from 900 farmers in East Godavari district and producing only 2,000 litre milk though the dairy has the capacity to produce 25,000 litre a day, along with doodpeda and butter milk. Former chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy sanctioned Rs 65 lakh and started two units in 2005 which sustained the dairy to some extent.

Bulk milk chilling centres are working at Kadiyam, Ravulapalem, Ainavalli, Rayavaram, Pedapudi, Karapa and Sankhavaram in the district. The dairy is supplying milk to some residential schools.

A farmer M Lakshman of Kadiyam, underlined the need to develop the dairy to its full capacity and the present unit is running because of former Rajasekhar Reddy's grant of funds.

He said the district has three ministers, whom he urged to take steps to bring past glory to the prestigious dairy.