Co-operative Dairying in Maharashtra-Lessons to be Learned

Though milk production in Maharashtra over last decade has increased by leaps and bounds, only 25 per cent of the milk co-operatives are economically viable in the state. Differential price structure and mismanagement of co-operatives has led to poor procurement of milk resulting in vast regional imbalances in terms of milk production. For the smooth functioning of the milk co-operatives, it is not enough to give remunerative prices to the producers, but the co-operatives themselves should take over the onerous task of ensuring necessary inputs so as to improve productivity and overall genetic stock of milch animals.