Winter boosts milk demand in Indore

Indore: Milk demand in Indore has edged up amid surge in consumption from institutional and household purchases in the winter season.Indore Cooperative Dugdh Sangh, which supplies packaged milk to consumers, has registered sales of 2.5 lakh litre per day whilst supplies of loose milk by private milk suppliers in the city has witnessed a surge of around 1 lakh litre per day."Daily milk demand has improved to around 2.5 lakh litre per day in these months. The surplus milk is utilised for converting into different by products contingent upon the demand," said an official from Indore Cooperative Dugdh Sangh.Daily milk collection at the Indore centre amounts to approximately 3 lakh litre, according to Indore Cooperative Dugdh Sangh. The surplus milk is utilised for manufacturing ice cream, table butter, white butter and skimmed milk powder.Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Dairy Federation (MPCDF), that has five milk unions under its umbrella, is endeavouring to revitalise the financially distressed Gwalior and Jabalpur milk unions by incorporating expertise of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). In July, MPCDF had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NDDB to exchange technical expertise to strengthen the cooperative dairy sector and boost capacity utilisation of milk unions in MP, especially those operating in losses.The association of dairy owners and loose milk suppliers, daily demand of milk has escalated and continues rising further due to the wedding season.Bharat Mathurawala, president, Indore Dudgh Vikreta Sangh said, "Milk demand has intensified and may escalate further due to additional demand in weddings and increased household consumption in winters. Milk demand is anticipated to rise by at least 1-2 lakh litre from hoteliers and caterers in the forthcoming weeks."Daily milk collection by Indore Dudgh Vikreta Sangh amounts to approximately 12 lakh litre.