Udupi: H.D. Revanna, Public Works Minister, said on Tuesday that efforts would be made to increase the incentive given to dairy farmers by Rs. 1 rupee for the milk provided by them.

He was speaking after inaugurating the new 2.5 lakh litre capacity milk dairy of the Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers Union at Uppoor in Udupi district.

Mr. Revanna said that presently the government was giving an incentive of Rs. 5 to the farmers. Though the State was reeling under drought for the last four years, the farmers were cushioned because they were also practising dairy farming.

A scheme was being prepared to provide interest free loans to farmers through the milk producers’ societies. The total amount of milk produced in the State was about 70 lakh litres. Of the 70 lakh litres, 40 lakh litres of milk was being sold. The rest was being conserved and this had resulted in dairies facing loss.

The milk production in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts taken together stood at four lakh litres per day. The milk producers union in both these districts was providing all support to the dairy farmers. The cooperative sector had helped the farmers in both these districts, Mr. Revanna said.

Shobha Karandlaje, MP, said though there was enough milk production in the State, adulterated milk from other states was finding its way here. Tough action should be taken against those supplying adulterated milk. Steps should also be taken to stop milk being supplied to the State from other states. The government should promote animal husbandry as it was a good subsidiary occupation for the farmers, she said.

Raviraj Hegde, President of Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers Union, urged the government to permit the setting up of an ice plant at its dairy in Manipal.