Provisional data from dairy sector sources shows that milk procurement in, including from other states, increased from 215.65 lakh kg per day (LkgPD) in 2019-20 to 245.8 (LkgPD) in 2020-21.

Data tabled in by the shows that Gujarat had the highest milk procurement among Indian states. Milk procurement in Gujarat was 228.6 LkgPD in April 2021. Gujarat Parliament ministry of agriculture shows that Gujarat had the highest milk procurement among Indian states. Milk procurement in Gujarat was 228.6 LkgPD in April 2021.

“Even during the pandemic, when private players had stopped procuring milk from farmers, co-operative milk unions continued buying milk without decreasing the price paid to dairy farmers,” said R S Sodhi, managing director, Gujarat Co-Operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) officials.

“Milk procurement continued even while farmers faced a lot of problems. Farmers have kept faith in the co-operative sector, due to which milk procurement continued to grow,” Sodhi added.

The average milk procurement price remained stable throughout the country in the pandemic year, according to the data tabled in Parliament.

Even in the pandemic year, milk procurement continued to grow in Gujarat, as has been the case for a couple of decades. Collectively, the country’s largest co-operative handled 40 lakh litres of milk per day (LLPD ) extra during.

Milk unions in Gujarat currently procure around 193 LLPD, as July is traditionally the lowest milk procurement month. At the peak, the procurement by milk unions touches 280 LLPD. “At the same time, we ensured uninterrupted supply of liquid milk in the country during the Covid-19 induced lockdown as well. The surplus milk was converted into commodities,” Sodhi said.