Kangsaboti Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. (KAMUL) has played a great role, through its multifold activities, in livelihood development of the poor dairy farmers of the district of Bankura since its inception on 18-06-1999. Majority of the farmers are SC and ST in the southern part and “JangalMahal” of this district.
At present, a total of 351 Milk Producers’ Co-operative Societies (MPCS/WMPCS) are functioning at the village level churning out more than 20,000 kgs milk every day, which, in turn, is procured by KAMUL. The main stress has been laid on setting up MPCS/WMPCS(s) primarily in ‘JangalMahal’ areas like Sarenga, Simlapal, Raipur ,Khatra, Hirbandh so that the poor farmers can get the reasonable price of milk through scaling up the level of consumption in places as referred above. Also Bulk Milk Cooler (BMC) installed at several points to facilitate the chilling infrastructures and at present total 12 (twelve) BMCsare functioning including a milk processing and product plant at Raipur. Another Product Plant at Bishnupur is nearing to completion.
Bankura, the fourth largest district of West Bengal is located in the western part of the state, which is popularly known as ‘Rarh’ from time immemorial. It has an area of 6882 sq.km. According to the census of 2001, it has a population of 31,92,695.The major part of the district is characterized by undulating topography. The average slope of land varies from 0.4% to 10%. The soil is mostly lateritic, light in texture and acidic in nature. The fertility status is also very low. The soil is light and porous in nature with low organic matter and low water holding capacity. However eastern and southern part of this district is more productivethan westernpart. As the most of the areas of this district are single cropping because of land pattern, it has been observed that villagers and farmers are showing keen interest in dairy business as it has played a major role in supplementing their family income and improving their economic lot.
The district has about 14.36 lakh cattle and 1.06 lakh buffalo of which 4.83 percent is crossbred population. The annual milk production is about 62,973 MT.The Dairy Co-operatives in the district has helped in economic improvement and social upliftment of the farmers. Participation of Women through Women Dairy Co-operatives has given encouraging results. Till today, 351 No. of Primary Milk Societies are functioning having a total membership of 20,820. Out of the functional Societies, there are 40 Women Dairy Co-operatives with the total membership of 6,200. Setting up of new Co-operative Societies, particularly WDCS will help to uplift the farmers.
In addition to this, the formation of more women’s Dairy Co-operative Societies and general Co-operative Societies under the Anand Pattern will also be set up to increase the operational areas under the Co-operative fold and to provide the smooth & systematic marketing facility to the milk producers’ of this district.
In the recent past, “IDDP-IV” has been successfully implemented and now VBMPS Sub-Project under “NDP-I” is going on.