PDFA expresses concern over adulteration of milk

Hyderabad: If the government agencies fail to step up vigil and impose deterrent punishment, the chances of people, especially children, getting pure and chemical-free milk are very bleak, according to Progressive Dairy Farmers Association of Telangana (PDFA).

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The PDFA general secretary K Bal Reddy here on Wednesday said an analysis by the Union government showed that of 1,700 samples of milk obtained from across the country in 2011-12 revealed that 70 per cent of the samples were adulterated. Adulteration, Bal Reddy said, could be anything from just water to dilute the purity of milk and increase quantity to addition of chemicals.

The PDFA would conduct of a 3-day 4th edition of Dairy Show-International Dairy Conference at the HITEX on September 5, 6 and 7. Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Mahamood Ali and Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy would inaugurate the show, he said.

Speaking to reporter on the occasion, PDFA president Jithendar Reddy said that there was a dire need for dairy farming and agriculture to be given equal importance. The government was offering incentives for farmers but was not extending the same to dairy farmers.

Jithendar Reddy said the cost of milk almost would double by the time it reached the end-user. “We need more marketing facilities and a strong linkage between producer, seller and consumer is definitely needed,” he said. “We need to put pressure on the government for effective control on milk trade, particularly against rampant adulteration of milk with poisonous chemicals for increased profits,” he added.

Bal Reddy added that Pondicherry and Goa were the two States where there was zero adulteration of milk. Adulteration of milk in Southern States was low when compared with those in northern states. In the united Andhra Pradesh State, between 3 and 7 per cent of milk was found adulterated in 2011. “Though there is no particular percentage of adulteration, certainly between 5 and 7 per cent of milk was being adulteration now, Bal Reddy said.

He stressed the need for extending free power to dairy farmers too and loans to them at low interest. Such measures would give a boost to dairy farming and provide employment to laksh of people. He also urged the government to provide free power to dairy farmers and rescue them by giving interest subsidy of 9 per cent to create interest in farming and employment to lakhs of youth in rural areas and stop migration from villages.