PDPS urges NDDB to take over shut Ongole Dairy to protect Prakasam milk farmers

The members of the Prakasam Dairy Parirakshana Samithi (PDPS) have urged the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to take over Prakasam Milk Producer Company Ltd. (PMPCL, also known as Ongole Dairy) to safeguard the interest of milk-producing farmers of the district.

PDPS members Balina Rama Subba Rao, K. Vasu, Ginnarasaiah, U. Simhadri and N. Rama Rao submitted a representation to 20-Point Programme Chairman Lanka Dinakar in Ongole on Monday (May 25, 2026) evening.

They said, “Ongole Dairy has fallen sick and it remains shut at present. The majority of the milk producers are small-scale farmers, landless labourers and socially and economically backward classes and women. Adulteration of the milk is in an alarming position in the district.”

Requesting Mr. Dinakar to recommend that the NDDB acquire the dairy again, the PDPS members said, “Maintenance of the dairy by the NDDB is necessary for the better livelihood of milk producers and also for the supply of pure milk to the consumers.”

They reminded 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 had been set up to help small-scale farmers, landless labourers and socially and economically backward classes people by providing a stable market for the milk. It 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 Kondamanjuluru of J. Panguluru mandal, four acres in Kanigiri, four acres in Cumbum, seven acres in Yerragondapalem and four acres in Darsi. It also has milk chilling units at all these places.

The dairy has full infrastructure facilities along with a milk powder unit in Ongole. It has 168 milk collecting centres with their own buildings. The dairy fell into crisis over debts, the milk powder unit turned non-functional for a long period, and the NDDB took over the management in 2005.

Over a period of seven years, the NDDB improved milk procurement, made the milk powder unit operational and marketed its milk products under the Mother Dairy brand. The performance of the dairy improved and the milk producers benefited.

The Prakasam District Milk Producers Mutually Aided Cooperative Union Ltd. was reconstituted as Prakasam Milk Producer Company in 2013, and it is currently facing severe operational and financial challenges.

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