PONDA
The Goa Dairy has constituted a seven-member committee to tackle the losses faced by its cattle feed unit.
Though Goa Dairy's milk production unit gained profit of Rs 10.87 crore, it has faced a loss of Rs 5.50 crore in its cattle feed unit. In order to arrest the loss, the annual general body meeting constituted a seven-member committee.
On Thursday, the 45th AGM was attended by 137 chairmen of dairy societies, out of 178. The meeting chaired by Madhav Sahakari was attended by directors and stakeholders. The AGM discussed various issues in regard to make progress and profits. The important issue discussed was the cattle feed unit, which is running in loss.
Speaking to The Goan, Goa Dairy Chairman Madhav Sahakari admitted that the balance sheet is in negative position. "To overcome this situation, we have formed a committee, which will study how we are facing a loss in the cattle feed unit. We will try to bring about a profit in this unit. We have faced a loss of Rs 5.50 crore in cattle feed and the overall loss is Rs 4.30 crore," he said.
He hastened to add that the meeting was convened in a peaceful manner.
Sources from Goa Dairy informed that the loss-making unit processes about 20,000 metric tonne of cattle feed annually, which is supplied at the cheapest rate to the farmers.
"The rate of processed cattle feed is Rs 20 per kg. However, we give it to the farmers for only Rs 16.80. Here we face a loss of Rs 3.20. If this subsidy to farmers is withdrawn, then we can make a profit," said an official on condition of anonymity.
In the last fiscal year, Goa Dairy had achieved a turnover of Rs 159 crore, out of which the profit was Rs 1.62 crore, but this year, it has faced a loss of Rs 4.30 crore, with annual turnover of nearly Rs 160 crore.
When asked whether they will withdraw the subsidy given on cattle feed, Sahakari replied in the negative. "We will not withdraw the subsidy given on cattle feed, but will work on how we can satisfy the farmers by slightly increasing the rate at which we sell it to the farmers," he said.
Goa Dairy has in the past claimed that its cattle feed is the cheapest compared to other dairies in India.
