: Farm fresh and unadulterated cow’s milk, produced, branded and marketed locally, will soon be available at your doorstep. A group of women dairy farmers, all members of Kudumbashree units, are all set to supply premium quality cow’s milk in the city with the support of Kochi Corporation. As many as 25 women dairy farmers have come forward for the project, in which milk will be sold under the brand name Arogya Nature Fresh.
Besides cow milk, cow dung and urine, which are in great demand, due to the recent fad for organic farming, will also come in packets from dairy farmers. Kiosks would be set up in public places in different parts of the city to sell these products.
In the first phase, around 2,500 litres of milk would be marketed a day. More people have shown interest in the project, said Sindhu Sudheesh, who heads the women cooperative.
In the initial phase, milk would be made available in four city divisions. The earlier idea was to sell milk in bottles. However, the members decided to go in for plastic packets. Packing machines have also been purchased. Other milk products would be added to the portfolio shortly, said Ms. Sudheesh.
According to M.P. Maheshkumar, the Corporation councillor representing Kunnumpuram in the Kochi Corporation council, it was the first step made by the women entrepreneurs of the division, who were dreaming to make it big in the business.
The local body provides support for women to buy cows under its animal husbandry project. This project is an attempt to take the entrepreneurship of women further. They have plans to run a full-fledged milk farm after the launch of the milk marketing programme, said Mr. Maheshkumar.
The milk may be slightly higher priced considering its premium quality. Focus will be to make pure and unadulterated milk available to the city dwellers, said an official of the local body.
