Bangalore: State Minister for Animal Husbandry T.B.Jayachandra has said that there has been a record milk production in the state.

Speaking to reporters here, he said over 63 lakh litres of milk has been procured from the 13 milk unions during the current year. He also informed  that  around 30 lakh litres of milk was supplied to the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for production of milk powder. He said such a step was inevitable as the state did not have a large scale milk powder manufacturing unit.

Jayachandra said the  KMF has already put forth a proposal to open a milk powder manufacturing unit. The plan is to increase the capacity of the existing unit at Channarayapattana in Hassan district at a cost of Rs 80 crores. The  unit would soon go on stream, he informed.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed that the Ksheera Bhagya Scheme for school children be extended to five days from the present three days a week, the minister said and  added that the suggestion is under consideration. The plan is to supply milk to school children in flexi packs, he informed.

Jayachandra said milk and milk products from the state are exported to several nations including  Srilanka, Europe and South Africa. The ghee produced in the state  is also  much in demand, he said.

Jayachandra further stated that the process of online direct distribution of incentives to dairy farmers  will be implemented in another month’s time.