Mumbai : The Maharashtra government recently declared export subsidy for skimmed milk powder (SMP) to improve the farmers’ realisation. R S Sodhi, Managing Director, GCMMF, welcoming the move said that the state government will have to develop a mechanism to track milk produced in the state.
Sodhi told The Free Press Journal, “The state government (Maharashtra) has encouraged exports and I laud this move. It has said that it will give Rs 50 per kg (kilogram) for exports of milk powder. Gujarat also gives Amul Rs 50 per kg to export surplus milk powder. Once the surplus powder goes out of India, it will be better for the country.” It is estimated that Maharashtra has stock of around 20,000-40,000 tonnes of SMPs.
But while the state prepares for export subsidy, Sodhi explained the challenges.
He asked how Maharashtra government can ensure the milk powder that will be exported is coming from the state.
“There is a need to create a system where they know that the milk is coming from the state.”
He suggested that here the cooperatives could take up the responsibility. However in Maharashtra, the co-operatives are not as strong as the private players.