Kochi: The Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (Milma) has submitted a project proposal to the centre with the recommendation of the state government to launch ultra-high temperature processing (UHT) milk with a shelf life of three to six months.
The new plant for developing the specially designed aseptic packaging will be set up at the Tripunithura dairy of Milma at an estimated cost of Rs 24.16 crore.
P A. Balan, chairman of Ernakulam regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, told DC that with the new packaging and long shelf life, Milma would be able to compete with other big dairy brands like Amul and Karnataka Co-Operative Milk Federation which are already marketing UHT milk.
“Milma has requested to include the project under the additional central assistance scheme so that it will get the full amount for project implementation. Otherwise, the federation has to spend more than Rs 6 crore, as the centre will provide only 75 per cent of the total project cost.”
The Milma authorities are also planning to seek the support of Union Minister Prof. K.V. Thomas in this regard.
It has been pointed out that by introducing more value-added products like UHT milk, there will be considerable increase in the total revenue of Milma.
The Ernakulam regional Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, one of the three regions of Milma, has proposed to implement projects worth Rs 100 crore.
