OREANDA-NEWS. September 26, 2011. Tata Power, in its endeavour towards generating sustainable livelihood for its communities around its Mundra project launched ’Project Uttkarsh’, an initiative that focuses on Tragadi and Nanbhadiya villages of Mandvi block.

Under the aegis of Project Uttkarsh, Coastal Gujarat Power (CGPL), a subsidiary of Tata Power, has established the first milk collection centre in Tragadi, which will provide income-generation opportunities for the cattle owners of Tragadi, Nanbhadiya, Gundiyali and the surrounding villages including the communities residing in the farm area. The milk collection centre will enable the local cattle owners to sell milk in a timely and systematic manner.

This initiative will significantly benefit the cattle owners to earn maximum profit on the milk produce since the process eliminates the involvement of intermediaries and middlemen. The implementation of Project Uttkarsh is in collaboration with an NGO — Vivekanand Research and Training Institute (VRTI) — and a cooperative called Tragadi Dudh Utpadak Sewa Sahakari Mandali. 

Further, Sarhad Dairy, a Kutch district milk producer cooperative society, under the aegis of National Dairy Development Board, will provide the convergence support. Sarhad Dairy will collect the milk from the centre daily at a stipulated time and deliver it at the chilling centre situated at Bidada. Sarhad Dairy will also provide other allied services for cattle management from the centre.

Speaking on the occasion, Alok Kanagat, executive director, CGPL, said, “The establishment of the first milk collection centre has generated enthusiasm amongst the villagers. The overwhelming response received is encouraging and will provide impetus to scale up the initiative. We will continue to support the villagers in their development through sustainable livelihoods.”

The project will also enable cattle owners to draw support from the Milk Marketing Federation established by the Government of Gujarat for various kinds of assistance such as pricing of their produce, cattle rearing, consultation for loans and medical aid for cattle, among others. The price of the milk will be decided as per the prevailing norms of the Milk Marketing Federation and based on milk quality (fat content).

CGPL is making provision for a one-time support for purchase of kits / materials for collection of milk and will extend support till the cooperative is self-sustainable. The villagers have appointed a representative to manage the milk centre and the cost of managing the centre will be borne by the community.   

The Tragadi and Nanbhadiya villages have around 375-400 cattle. The setting up of the collection room made by the community has generated great enthusiasm among villagers and currently has 30 villagers as members. This membership is likely to grow in the coming days and will further extend its services to other nearby villages also. Milk collected on the very first day of opening was 160 litres. As per the support extended by Kutch Milk Marketing Producer Cooperative Society, the milk would be collected two