Milk vending machines to be promoted in district

Tribune News Service

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Jalandhar, December 10

To augment farmers' income and provide residents unadulterated milk, automatic milk vending machines will be promoted. The Dairy Department has asked for 50 per cent subsidy on such machines from the government.

Besides, to guide dairy farmers about government schemes and subsidies, the department has recruited retired milk plant and Agriculture Department employees to organise camps in villages.

Waryam Singh, Assistant Deputy Director, Dairy Department, Jalandhar, said the electronic milk vending machines had already been introduced in the city. “We are planning to launch it on a large scale. The initiative will not only increase the income of farmers but also ensure quality milk to the residents. We have already demanded 50 per cent subsidy on the machines from the state government. The matter is under consideration," he added.

Apart from small dairy farmers, Waryam Singh said there were around 300 advanced dairies in the district. Due to the staff shortage, the department has recruited retired milk plant and Agriculture Department officials to organise awareness camps in villages to equip farmers with the latest techniques of dairy farming.

He said their staff could only organise camps at the block-level. They will be called key resource and assistant key resource persons. They will be given Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,500 for every camp. They will visit remote villages of the district.

Waryam Singh said a programme had already been launched in the city for consumer, where they could get milk samples tested. “So far, we have found that water and skimmed milk powder is mixed in milk," he added.