Equipment gathers dust at milk chilling plant

PHULBANI: The only milk chilling plant here, established 17 years back, is kaput  due to multiple reasons. In 1995, the plant with storage capacity of 4,000 litres was established at a cost of ` 30 lakh on the outskirts of Phulbani town. The aim was to trade surplus milk produced by local dairy farmers. The plant was managed by district milk union, that was formed by 28 registered primary milk producers co-operative societies of the district. Initially, 1,000 litres of milk was collected daily from the members of the milk union from Tikabali, Phringia, Khajuripada and Balliguda areas of the district, said A N Das, co-operative inspector and the plant in-charge. When the plant started functioning successfully, OMFED took it over in April 2004 and the then collector was placed as the chairman. Sources said problems for the plant started after OMFED reportedly stopped providing incentives to the farmers. Earlier, the union was providing incentives to farmers like free fodder, medical treatment for cattle and financial aid. Following this, farmers started backing out from providing milk to the plant and gradually, the production decreased till it was completely stopped eight months back.  As of today, the equipment in the plant has been rendered defunct and there is just one guard in the plant which remains closed throughout the day. On the other hand, the dairy farmers have gradually diversified to other activities like construction work.