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MILMA FOR FARMERS
- PROCUREMENT AND INPUTS DEPARTMENT
The Procurement & Input (P&I) Department is responsible for functions related to Milk Production Enhancement at farmer level and Procurement of milk by the Societies and Union. The functions are carried out through its units located at Palakkad, Pattambi, Nilambur, Kozhikode, Kalpetta, Kannur and Kanhangad.
A. Milk Production Enhancement At Farmer Level
The following programmes are carried out at the farmer level to enhance quantity and quality of milk production
1 Artificial Insemination Carried out through 106 Artificial Insemination centers located at village dairy co-operative societies. These centers are manned by self employed youth or trained society employee. 2 Feed and Fodder Programme 
Supply of Balanced cattle feed through the village Dairy co-operative societies at subsidized rates Supply of straw pellets sourced from other states to farmers at subsidized rates to reduce cost of production of milk. Supply of baled straw to farmers at subsidized rates from Straw Baling Unit at Palakkad Supply of essential drugs and vitamins for up-keep of proper health of milch animals Establishment of fodder plots to make available green fodder to farmers at affordable rates Availability of ready made channel for the State Govt. to provide cattle feed subsidy to dairy farmers from the state exchequer 
3 Total Mixed Ration Programme The concept of Total Mixed Ration Programme (TMR) is to utilize the locally available crop residues and feed stuff of plant origin for milk production. The main residues proposed to the used are from paddy, banana and jack fruit. The plant to manufacture TMR is proposed to be set up soon. 4 Heifer Development Programme The objective of the programme is to develop 1500 high quality cows through their adoption and focused attention from the heifer stage itself. Ten heifers each will be selected from 150 Co-operative societies and they are proposed to be given special provisions like vitamins, minerals, medicines and adequate volumes of cattle feed using the special budget set apart for this. 5 Farm Support Programme This is a new venture aimed at promoting dairy farming as a profitable commercial venture in itself, instead of being carried out as an “add-on” activity to mainstream agriculture. One hundred and forty two project proposals have already been submitted under the Dairy Venture Capital Fund of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) of India. Out of these proposals, 82 have been sanctioned by the bank. The following activities are given support under this venture: Mechanization of dairy farms through use of milking machines, chaff cutters, animal cooling systems, bio–gas plants, rubber mats, automatic waterers etc. Conduct of Farm Entrepreneurs Training Programmes. Distribution of low cost alternate feeds like beer and tapioca waste to farmers 6 Decentralized Veterinary Units Under this scheme veterinarians on contract basis are posted at a central society with required facilities and medicines. Service of these veterinarians is to be made available on cost basis to the farmers of all societies in the area 7. Procurement of Milk by Societies / Union The following schemes are being undertaken to assist procurement of milk under proper conditions at the societies and at the dairies under the Union Provision of building grants for construction of permanent buildings and facilities for societies and special grants to societies for the erection of bulk milk coolers Provision of testing chemicals free of cost to societies. Provision of milk cans to societies at subsidized rates 8 Insurance Schemes The dairy farmers are covered under insurance policies of the Life Insurance Corporation of India and the New India Assurance Company for the following risks Natural Death Accidental Death Permanent Total Disability Medical Expenses In addition, a cattle insurance scheme is also operated under the National Insurance Company of India. The premium expenses of all the above policies are met either entirely by the Union or jointly with the societies and beneficiary farmers 9 Women Cattle Care Programme This programme mainly focuses on periodically training groups of farm women in a village by a trained women promoter selected from the same village. The focus areas of training are the following: Technical aspects of dairying Communication skills Motivation and Personal Development Family Counselling Child Psychology Consumer Rights 10 Co-operative Development / Institution Building Programme This programme mainly involves training of elected Board members and employees of societies to take an active and effective role for themselves in the development and growth of their society through planning , strategy formulation, budgeting etc. 11 Awards and scholarships In order to develop a competitive spirit among farmers for achieving excellence in their field of activity, awards are given each year to farmers and societies who show the best performance. In addition four types of scholarships are also given to farmers’ children to enable them to pursue education at various levels. 12 Malabar Rural Development Foundation Malabar Rural Development Foundation is a charitable trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act 1882 for implementing non – core social developmental activities for the benefit of farmers in Malabar region. It is managed by a board of trustees consisting seven members including Chairman of KCMMF Ltd , Chairman of MRCMPU Ltd and Managing Director of MRCMPU Ltd. The major initiatives of MRDF include the following : Financial support for the education of children of farmers and employees who have registered under the trust Distribution of low cost alternate cattle-feed like beer waste Procurement and distribution of farm machinery like milking machines, chaff cutters, rubber mats etc. at reasonable rates to farmers. Implementation of Farm Tourism Initiatives involving the linkage of dairy farms and scenic spots in Wayanad District, so as to give tourists an opportunity to spend quality time with the dairy farmer in the village
13 Marketing Department Marketing is one of the three key functional areas of MRCMPU Ltd. and it is the only functional area responsible for generating income for the Union. Marketing comprises of the following two broad areas. 1. Marketing of Fresh Products.
2. Marketing of Long Life products.Marketing of Fresh Products (which includes different varieties of milk, curd and butter milk) is a responsibility being carried out by the marketing sections attached to the five milk-processing dairies. The Marketing activities in these dairies can be broadly classified into Distribution Management and Market Development Activities. The former involves daily distribution of fresh milk and curd in the morning and afternoon through insulated vehicles to the dealers and collection of money and indent from dealers and other related planning and follow-up activities. The latter involves field activities designed to expand the reach of the Unions milk and milk products and increase their market penetration. This is done through a team of field sales representatives for each dairy who are given the responsibility in a specified geographic zone, which in turn comprises of a number of defined markets. The framework for the yearly activities as well as the financial support is provided through the yearly Marketing Plans of Operation, which is finalised along with the year-wise budgets.
Marketing of Long Life products (which includes Ghee, Ice-cream, Sip-up, Peda, Palada mix, Flavoured Milk or Milma Plus etc.) is a responsibility being carried out by the Products Marketing Section functioning at Head Office. Here also the activities can be broadly classified into Distribution Management as well as Market Development. The only difference is that distribution of long life products are carried out solely through the whole - sale distributors allotted at various locations. Distribution Management of long life products is carried out from five attached dairies where as dealer development activities are carried out by Product Marketing section at Head Office. The broad activity framework as well as functional support are governed by a separate Yearly Plan of Operation for Long Life Products.