Hearty welcome to ERCMPU.
Our Milk Union is the harbinger of hope for the dairy farmers of Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kottayam and Idukki Districts in Central Kerala. ERCMPU had creditable growth in milk procurement and sales during the first decade of its existence. Unhealthy competition from private operators, delays in effecting timely price revisions etc had posed major challenges to the Union. However, clearly thought out marketing strategies coupled with focused efforts in building up infrastructural facilities (especially aimed at strengthening cold chain and putting up modern scientific and technical facilities at dairies) helped the Union stand up to the competition and build up on market leadership.
As a recognition, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has selected Ernakulam Milk Union as one of the “Promising Milk Union” in India. Now, adding another milestone on our journey to becoming a role model in the country, ERCMPU is set to become the first dairy cooperative with a milk processing unit running fully on solar power.
We were in the forefront of struggles aimed at upholding the right of dairy farmers’ co-operatives to decide on milk price. It is heartening to note milma’s stand was endorsed by Hon’ble High Court of Kerala too. This strengthens my resolve to strive harder for better overall performance and to institute more welfare schemes for dairy farmers while committed to our motto “Farmers prosperity through consumer satisfaction”. Our Help to Farmers (H2F) Programme is moulded in this direction.
I look forward to a day when the ambit of milma touches the lives of all Keralites either as a milk producer or as a consumer. Towards this end ERCMPU is in the forefront of efforts to make Kerala self-reliant in milk. The Union also has ambitious plans to introduce more value-added products to cater to better serve consumers. Many of our steps in this direction are novice in the State of Kerala viz. Eatery Chain called ‘Milma Refresh Veg’, Milma Supermarkets, Bakery & Confectionery Units, milma@School etc.
I am grateful to all the 4.3 Lakhs Dairy Farmers, 11,0000 odd Dealers and their Dairy Co-operative Societies, my colleagues in the Director Board, Employees of ERCMPU, Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, our sister Unions TRCMPU & MRCMPU, National Dairy Development Board, Government of India, Government of Kerala especially the Department of Dairy Development and its Hon’ble Minister Smt. J. Chinchurani and the public of Kerala for the support extended to ERCMPU for its triumphant odyssey.
M T Jayan
Chairman MILMA,ERCMPU
Synergistic Marble Lamp