PONDA
With the Gujarat-based Surat District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd (SUMUL) starting its milk collection centres in Vante and Vellus at Sattari taluka, domestic milk producer Goa Dairy has begun to face the heat as its procurement has reduced by 700 litres.
Adding to its woes, 10 farmers have distanced themselves from Goa Dairy.
Speaking to The Goan, Goa Dairy Managing Director Dr Navasu Sawant admitted that Sumul has had an impact on its business, but was confident of bouncing back.
“Due to two Sumul centres in Sattari, the number of our farmers has reduced by ten and milk procurement has reduced by 700 litres.
“But I am sure these farmers will come back to us (Goa Dairy). In future, they will realise that they had been lured with false promises,” said Dr Sawant.
Following the Goa government’s permission to allow the Gujarat-based dairy to collect milk in Sattari, Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem, Sumul dairy has set up collection centres in Sattari.
According to Dr Sawant, Goa Dairy has planned strategies to make farmers aware that they could lose profits if they were to shun Goa Dairy.
“We are accelerating this process of spreading awareness and we have started meeting farmers taluka-wise,” he said.
Sawant claimed that Goa Dairy provides the best services in veterinary and other areas. “We provide fodder cheaper than anyone else,” Dr Sawant added.
Dr Sawant said Goa Dairy presently procures about 70,000 litres per day from local dairy farmers and 22,000 litres from neighbouring states. “We have good support from our customers and we process 92,000 litres of milk each day,” Dr Sawant said.
“We are optimistic that those who have left and are planning to leave Goa Dairy, will change their minds once they come to know the difference between Goa Dairy and SUMUL.”
“We have the sympathy from Goans and people have assured them to keep the sale of Goa Dairy intact. “I am hundred per cent sure that farmers will come back to us after we persuade them,” said Dr Sawant.
