The Gujarat government has made an important decision to protect cattle herders in the Banaskantha district. This move comes as a way to strengthen the cooperative structure and improve the welfare of farmers, especially those involved in dairy production. The district registrar has sent a letter to Banaskantha Dairy, instructing them to only accept milk through registered primary dairy cooperative societies.
Recently, many cattle herders were selling their milk to private milk purchasing centres. This situation was concerning, as it often led to exploitation and unfair pricing for the herders. The cooperative department has received information from dairy unions that milk from herders is being accepted through these private centres instead of the primary cooperative societies in their villages.
In some villages, even when there are registered dairy societies, milk is still being accepted through private centres, which raises questions about the registration processes and oversight. This lack of regulation can lead to irregularities and risks the interests of the herders. To address these issues, the government has mandated that all private milk purchasing centres in the region must close immediately if there is a registered cooperative society in the village.
The Banaskantha Dairy has also been instructed to ensure that any milk collected from herders is processed through these registered societies. The district registrar has emphasised the importance of timely registration of new dairy societies in villages that currently do not have one.
The aim of this initiative is to ensure that cattle herders receive fair prices for their milk and are not exploited by private purchasing centres. It is crucial that milk is accepted only through registered dairy societies to maintain transparency and fairness in the marketplace. The government also aims to improve the overall economic conditions of dairy farmers, ensuring that they do not face difficulties in selling their milk.
The steps taken by the government include:
1. Immediate closure of all private milk purchasing centres that supply milk to the dairy union.
2. Closure of any unregistered or unofficial milk societies in villages where a registered society exists.
3. Establishment of new dairy societies in villages without any, ensuring proper registration is completed.
4. Ensuring that all milk acceptance is managed through the local registered dairy society to avoid any inconvenience for the cattle herders.
This decision is part of a larger vision by the central government to support cooperative structures and improve the livelihoods of farmers in Gujarat. With the dairy sector being a vital part of the rural economy, these measures are expected to enhance the economic stability of cattle herders, allowing them to thrive. The government is committed to protecting the rights and interests of these farmers and ensuring that their hard work is fairly compensated. Through these efforts, Gujarat aims to create a more equitable and sustainable agricultural environment for all its citizens.
Leave a Reply