PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Champawat
The dairy cooperative movement in Champawat district is now emerging as a strong pillar for strengthening rural livelihoods. Continuous and focused efforts are being made to promote milk production and enhance farmers’ income, claimed the functionaries of the district milk producers’ union.
Compared to the previous year, the district has recorded a steady increase in milk procurement with the number of dairy cooperative societies having risen from 245 to 264, directly benefiting over 6,000 milk producers. Similarly, the number of registered societies affiliated with the union has increased from 215 to 244. The union members said that along with the Dairy Development department, they have been making sustained efforts to further expand this network.
The district administration sources said that significant steps have been taken under the Adarsh Champawat initiative to revive inactive dairy societies, including Mulakot and Majhpipal, on the initiative of the district magistrate, Manish Kumar. As part of this initiative, milk testing units have been facilitated for the dairy societies. With the installation of modern milk testing units, regular quality assessment of milk supplied by producers is being done, enabling milk producers to receive fair and quality-based remuneration directly from their respective dairy societies.
The union asserts that the initiative would not only enhance rural incomes but also help curb youth migration by generating local employment opportunities.
