Working of Milk Producers' Co-Operatives in Maharashtra

The past trend of production of milk in Maharashtra State has been quite encouraging. The State started showing quantum leaps and bounds in milk production from 1987-88 onwards when its milk production was 2.66 million tons. Thereafter. within 6-7 years the State's milk production figures touched 4.2 million tons. Undoubtedly, the dairy co-operative movement in the State has contributed in no small measure towards this substantial increase in the milk production. However, it seems that this movement could gain momentum only in some specified regions of the State. It is a matter of great concern that only a couple of regions (Pune and Nashik) in the State are contributing more than 50 per cent of the total milk production.