Ranchi, June 7: Pradeep Kumar of Kathaltoli village in Itki, 25 km from the capital, has found a new meaning in life. Sudha Dairy, the government-run milk co-operative, has turned around his fortune. Till recently, he was just a poor dairy farmer being exploited by the “milk mafia” in the area.

Thousands of farmers and milk producers in and around the capital have benefited from the “white revolution” triggered by Sudha Dairy.

The co-operative has generated employment for many impoverished villagers. Most of them have been freed from the clutches of the milk mafia operating in the region.

Everyday, Sudha collects nearly 51,000 litres of milk from villages on the outskirts of Ranchi. Sudha’s milk procurement officer Sanjeev Sinha said: “When we started our operation in Jharkhand, the conditions were pathetic. The milk was going to the mafia, which paid a paltry sum for it. They did not protest out of fear. When we entered the villages, we were threatened by the mafia. They told us to leave the place. But it did not deter us. We continued to penetrate the remote areas and we succeeded in our mission,” he added.

Govind Sahu, a resident of Kathaltoli village, said: “Sudha has given us new hope. Every morning, a crowd waits for the milk van to arrive. Our milk is tested and loaded. We also get satisfactory prices for our product. The payment is not delayed. Their style of functioning is very systematic.”

Adds Sahu: “We are paid after every 10 days. Every village has a society comprising 10 houses, called tolas. The payment is made by draft. The amount depends upon the fat content in the milk,” he added.

Nearly 71 “functional” villages supply milk to Sudha Dairy every morning and evening. Besides, the authorities also provide useful information about cattle rearing.

Raju Singh, a farmer, said: “The authorities have given us important tips on increasing milk productivity. We have learnt that if a cow is given a diet rich in oestro-calcium, milk production increases. We did not know anything about this before.” Raju and his fellow milk-producers have also learnt about the diseases prevalent in cows and the prevention methods. We get vaccines from Sudha for our cattle. They also organise regular health camps for our cattle. A balanced cattle diet is also provided to us by the dairy,” he added.

Sudha manager Milton Srivastav said: “We have succeeded in developing a sense of co-operation among these villagers.”