PANAJI
Statistics have shown that SUMUL had registered a total of 31,000 litres per day in March 2016 but had increased that to a whopping 1,65,000 litres per day in June this year. The State s requirement is approximately 3,25,000 litres per day. Speaking in the House, the minister said SUMUL had created an impression with the farmers in the State. “Today there are 350 dairy farmers who are involved with SUMUL s programnes, and they have said they are happy with the outcome and functioning of the company,” he said. Adding to Naik s statement, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said farmers had shown interest in having SUMUL introduced to other talukas in the State. Currently they are procuring milk from three talukas, Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem. Naik however said, “Any proposal to expand to other talukas will certainly be done by taking the farmers into consideration.” Apprehensions were raised by MLA Naresh Sawal who pointed to Goa s very own dairy union suffering after the entry of Gujarat-based SUMUL. Parsekar in response said, “There is great potential for milk production in the State with schemes given to them, but unfortunately milk production has not been increasing. The feed provided by SUMUL is different from that provided by Goa Dairy. SUMUL s entry is seen as betterment to the farmers. Farmers from other talukas also have shown interest in SUMUL.” He added that if there was healthy competition between the two companies, the farmer would benefit and that there was no reason to complain.
