PDPS urges NDDB to take over closed Ongole dairy to protect Prakasam milk farmers

Members of the Prakasam Dairy Parirakshana Samithi on Monday submitted a representation to the chairman of the 20-point program Lanka Dinakar in Ongole. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Members of Prakasam Dairy Parirakshana Samithi (PDPS) urged the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to take over Prakasam Milk Producer Company Ltd. (PMPCL, also known as Ongole Dairy) to protect the interests of milk producing farmers in the district.

PDPS members Balina Rama Subba Rao, K. Vasu, Ginnarasaiah, U. Simhadri and N. Rama Rao presented the 20-point program to Chairperson Lanka Dinakar in Ongola on Monday (May 25, 2026) evening.

They said, “The Ongole dairy has fallen ill and currently remains closed. Most of the milk producers are small farmers, landless laborers and socially and economically backward classes and women. Milk adulteration is alarming in the district.”

Asked by Mr. Dinakar to recommend that the NDDB reacquire the dairy, the PDPS members said, “Maintenance of the dairy by the NDDB is essential for better livelihood of milk producers and also for supply of clean milk to consumers.”

They recalled that IT Minister Nara Lokesh had promised to reopen the closed dairy during his ‘Yuvagalam Padayatra’ for the benefit of milk producing farmers. It was established in 1976 as Prakasam District Milk Producer’s Mutually Aided Cooperative Union Ltd.

The dairy was established to help small farmers, landless laborers and socially and economically backward people by providing a stable market for milk. It has played a significant role in improving the rural economy by providing a sustainable source of income.

The dairy owns 109 acres of land, including 78 acres in Ongole, 12 acres in Kondamanjulur of J. Panguluru mandal, 4 acres in Kanigiri, 4 acres in Cumbum, 7 acres in Yerragondapalem and 4 acres in Darsi. It also has milk cooling units at all these locations.

The dairy has complete infrastructure along with a milk powder unit in Ongola. It has 168 milk collection centers with their own buildings. The dairy went into debt crisis, the milk powder unit became non-functional for a long time and in 2005, NDDB took over.

Within seven years, NDDB improved its milk procurement, commissioned a milk powder unit and launched its dairy products under the Mother Dairy brand. Dairy performance improved and milk producers benefited.

Prakasam District Milk Producers Mutually Aided Cooperative Union Ltd. was revived as Prakasam Milk Producer Company in 2013 and is currently facing serious operational and financial problems.

After going through the representation of PDPS members, Mr. Dinakar responded positively to intervene and facilitate the takeover of the NDDB dairy to protect small farmers and rural livelihoods.

Published – 26 May 2026 15:16 IST