The Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (TNCMPF) will encourage rearing of buffalo calves among farmers in the State. Minister for Dairy Development Mano Thangaraj on Tuesday said since buffalo milk contained more fat and solids-not-fat, it would be very helpful in production of milk-based products.
The government, he said, was working on a scheme since the number of buffaloes had come down drastically. “Buffaloes are sturdy and disease-resistant and are indigenous animals, which is why we have decided to revive the practice of rearing them,” he told The Hindu.
At present the TNCMPF, whose popular brand is Aavin, procures around 1 lakh litres of buffalo milk a day from areas including Salem, Erode, Namakkal and Karur. Mr. Thangaraj, who addressed cooperative members via video conferencing, said special general body meetings should be conducted at all primary cooperative societies.
