A delegation of the Odisha Milk Farmers’ Association (ONFA) met midday meal (MDM) scheme State Nodal Officer Gangadhar Sahoo and demanded inclusion of milk, curd, paneer and such other milk product in the scheme.
The Government feeds 55 lakh children in 32,000 schools of the State. OMFA president Rabi Behera said if the Government accepts the proposal of inclusion of milk and milk products, it would be helpful for the milk farmers who are facing distress sale of milk as the Omfed has imposed a ceiling of 31 per cent less procurement of milk to 5,049 primary milk cooperatives. This has led to distress sale of milk and causing a stir among the farmers.
At present, 235 blocks of the State are reeling under severe drought and milk production is an alternative lively hood for the rural farmers. But these arbitrary actions of the Omfed has influenced livelihood of 2.8 lakh milk farmers families who are giving milk to the Omfed.
Besides, milk and milk products in the ICDS scheme to fight malnutrition among women and children there by reducing INR and MMR deaths.
The delegation also wanted supply of Omfed milk products to corporate hospitals, private medical colleges and all State-sponsored medical colleges and hospitals.
Behera also said the Government should move the Railway and Civil Aviation Ministries to include Omfed products in the lunch and dinner of the passengers.
Copies of the memorandum were also sent to the Chief Minister, Health Minister, School and Mass Education Minister and Women and Child Development Minister.