TEAM HERALD
PONDA: An unprecedented rise in local milk production may have ended Goa Dairy’s dependence on cow milk from neighbouring states, but Goa Dairy has now been forced to revive its marketing strategy in order to increase the sale of processed milk in the State.
According to information, Goa Dairy has witnessed a rise of about 20,000 to 25,000 litres of local milk produce daily since August this year, but for the first time has recorded local milk production of 70,000-80,000 litres of milk per day.
With no proper marketing mechanism to handle the extra milk sales, the Goa Dairy earlier had to trade raw milk in the neighbouring states at reasonable rates. With a rise in local milk produce, Goa Dairy is not dependent on cow milk from neighbouring states anymore, but still procures buffalo milk from the neighbouring states.
“Goa Dairy’s plant at Curti-Ponda has the capacity to process over 1 lakh litres of raw milk and we are already on the job to revive our marketing strategy to increase sales,” said newly elected Goa Dairy Chairman Vithoba Dessai.
Dessai was unanimously elected as Goa Dairy Chairman for 2013-14 during board of directors meeting at Goa Dairy. All the 12 board of directors were present for the election process. Dessai earlier served as chairman in 1991, 2004 and 2006.
According to information, Goa Dairy, which crossed the Rs 100 crore turnover this year, sells about 80,000 litres of processed milk daily in the State, including some adjoining areas in the neighbouring states.
“With government schemes, we feel there is a rise in local milk production. Earlier, there was a daily average milk production of about 50,000-55,000 litres, but since August it ranges from 70,000-80,000 litres. We have stopped purchasing cow’s milk from neighbouring states, but we still require buffalo milk due to its high fat content,” informed Dessai.
The sale of milk in the State by Amul, another major milk cooperative union, has also affected Goa Dairy’s milk sales to some extent, but Dessai opined that Goa Dairy will compete with ease.
“I agree to some extent that our sales have been affected due to that milk (Amul). However, we are strong enough to compete with any other milk provider, as people trust Goa Dairy and we supply fresh and good quality milk everyday,” said Dessai.
Reacting to the recent demands of the State government to reduce milk price by Rs 2, Dessai said: “We will have to work out to see whether it is possible and will even meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to discuss the issue.”
