Kerala working on insurance scheme for all cows across the state by 2028: Minister J Chinchurani
KFL can focus on diversification, Minister R Bindu at launch of pioneering insurance coverage scheme
Thrissur / October 22, 2024
Thrissur, Oct 22: Kerala is rolling out a major plan that provides insurance coverage to all the cows in the state within the next three financial years, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Smt J. Chinchurani said.
The proposed initiative will be carried out with support from the central government, as Kerala stands second among the states in milk productivity at the national level, she said afer inaugurating a free state-wide insurance coverage for the cows of farmers associated with Kerala Feeds Limited (KFL).
Higher Education and Social Justice Minister Smt R. Bindu chaired last evening’s ceremony in the PSU’s headquarters near Irinjalakuda, where Smt Chinchurani declared the scheme open. The first phase covers 250 KFL-sponsored farmers across Kerala who were selected through a draw in mid-February this year as part of Padavu-2024 dairy farmers’ meeting held by the Dairy Development Ministry at Anakkara in Idukki district.
Pointing out that 95 per cent of the milk-yielding cows in Kerala are hybrid, Smt Chinchurani said Kerala’s Feed Act, the Bill for which has been cleared with the aim of ensuring the safety and quality of feed amid protecting the interests of farmers, carries provisions for penalising companies that sell below-par products and regulations for effective fertilisation of cattle. She distributed insurance certificates to nine farmers, lauding the role of ARTCO as a governmental organisation rendering technical assistance to chosen segments in the economy besides the public-sector Agriculture Insurance Company of India.
Minister Smt Bindu urged KFL to go ahead with its diversification plans, highlighting the need for growing maize within Kerala, as the crop forms a major ingredient for cattle-feed. “With today’s insurance scheme, the PSU is into yet another major social responsibility,” she added.
At Monday’s function in Kallettumkara, KFL Chairman Shri K. Sreekumar recalled the PSU’s history spanning a quarter century, noting “unprecedented vitality” of the dairy sector in recent times. “We could overcome tough times during the floods of 2018 and ’19, and subsequently the Covid-19 pandemic,” he noted in the welcome speech.
KFL Managing Director Dr B. Sreekumar, while presenting a report, said the company currently had factories in six districts. “Our turnover in the previous financial year was Rs 568 crore. Our company could provide the best cattle-feed to the dairy farmers throughout the state even amid financial crunch,” he pointed out.
KFL Assistant General Manager Smt Usha Padmanabhan proposed thanks. Other speakers were Aloor Grama Panchayat President Shri K.R. Jojo and ARTCO Managing Director Mathew C.V.
The 1999-founded KFL manufactures products for various breeds of cows with the aim of keeping them in good health as well as better productivity and quality of milk.
ENDS
