Latest news with #ManoThangaraj
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Efforts will be made soon to open Aavin outlets in rural areas: Minister
COIMBATORE: Efforts will be made soon to start Aavin outlets in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, minister for milk and dairy development Mano Thangaraj said on Friday. 'Chief minister M K Stalin has instructed the expansion of Aavin product outlets in rural areas, and we may see this expansion in a few months,' the minister said after inaugurating a workshop at a private college in Eachanari on the Mission White Wave project for MBA students in Coimbatore. The aim of the initiative is to help milk producers' co-operative societies become profitable. He said second-year MBA students in Rathinam Business School and Kumaraguru School of Business would collaborate with milk producers' co-operative societies. The students would work with the societies for a period of three months, during which they would engage in social analysis, resource mapping and business planning to help the societies become profitable, he added. The minister expressed confidence that this initiative would succeed and serve as a model for sustainable development in the dairy sector. He said the department has a clear plan to strengthen and support milk producers' co-operative societies in the state. In the last four years, 1,351 new milk producers' co-operative societies were established. "Additionally, 483 societies that were previously non-functional were revived and made operational. A total of 650 societies that were dismantled were also brought back into functioning status. Altogether, 2,484 societies are now fully functional, benefiting more than one lakh farmers across the state," he said. 'Despite these efforts, 1,365 societies still remain non-functional, and steps are being taken to restore them as well,' he said.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Minsiter Mano Thangaraj stresses drug-free living for youth at awareness campaign
Minister of Dairy Development T. Mano Thangaraj emphasised the need to create a drug-free youth community in Kanniyakumari district, while speaking at an event organised in Nagercoil, to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. At the event, the Minister said that various awareness programmes were being carried out across Tamil Nadu to combat drug abuse and highlight its harmful effects. As part of the initiative, government and aided school teachers and headmasters were closely monitoring the students and offering counselling if they notice any unusual behavioural changes among them. In addition, the district administration has also instructed multiple departments including, Revenue, Child Welfare, Corporation, Police, local bodies and others to conduct effective inspections to ensure that banned drugs were not being sold in public places, added Mr. Mano Thangaraj. He further noted that teachers and college professors have been directed to keep an eye on students and immediately inform both the parents and the police if they find any substance or alcohol addiction. For this purpose the police department has introduced a dedicated whatsApp number to facilitate quick reporting. The Minister also received the awareness torch that was carried from 31 different locations across the district as a symbol of the anti-drug campaign. Kanniyakumari Collector R. Alagumeena, Nagercoil Corporation Mayor R. Mahesh, Child Protection Officer Shakeel Banu, and other officials were present at the event.
United News of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- United News of India
TN to lead India's next dairy revolution : Min
Chennai, June 2 (UNI) Tami Nadu Minister for Milk and Dairy Development Mano Thangaraj on Monday said 'Tamil Nadu is well-positioned to lead India's next dairy revolution. The revolution would be the one that is green, inclusive, and farmer-first, he said at the valedictory of the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme held here. He said India proudly holds the distinction of being the world's largest milk producer --a testament to the dedication of millions of small holder farmers and their livestock. Yet, behind this impressive statistic lies a pressing concern: low productivity. On average, Indian dairy animals produce only one-tenth of the milk compared to their counterparts, highlighting a significant gap in efficiency and sustainability. A pivotal study, the Tamil Nadu Landscape Study, conducted by Kumaraguru Institutions in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, uncovered the systemic barriers that continue to hinder the dairy sector: high production costs, poor price realization and weak last mile delivery of essential inputs and veterinary services. The study captured the voices of farmers echoing fatigue, frustration, and an urgent demand for transformative change. "That change is now in motion", he said. In December 2024, Kumaraguru Institutions launched the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme, a transformative initiative aimed at fostering sustainable, resilient, and scalable dairy farming models. Over a three-month intensive training phase, 112 dairy entrepreneurs were equipped with practical knowledge in breeding, nutrition, housing, animal health, and milk value addition. These entrepreneurs are now receiving nine months of dedicated field mentoring to support and empower over 10,000 smallholder dairy farmers across Tamil Nadu. They are not just business owners—they are changemakers, delivering quality inputs, reliable veterinary services, and evidence-based dairy practices to underserved communities. Their work generates triple impact as social empowerment, economic upliftment and environmental resilience. A flagship highlight of the programme was the 'Dairy Yatra"-- 6,000 km cross-country learning expedition through Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. More than 40 entrepreneurs participated, gaining first hand exposure to innovative dairy practices from the lush pastures of Coimbatore to the arid landscapes of Rajasthan. This journey bridged regional wisdom with cutting-edge practices, offering a panoramic view of India's rich dairy heritage and future potential. This event marked the culmination of months of rigorous training, innovation, and community engagement, celebrating the tireless efforts of the new generation of dairy entrepreneurs and their pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive, efficient, and climate-resilient dairy ecosystem. As India looks toward the future of agriculture, this initiative stands as a beacon of what is possible when collaboration, scientific insight, and grassroots leadership come together in service of a common goal. UNI GV 2155
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Focus on sustainable agriculture that is profitable and environmentally friendly, says Minister
With many farmers moving away from agriculture, there is a need to focus on sustainable farming that is both profitable and environmentally friendly, said Minister for Milk and Dairy Development Mano Thangaraj at the valedictory of the Tamil Nadu Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme at the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas) in Chennai on Monday. Mr. Thangaraj said loans would be made available to all farmers across Tamil Nadu, and that plans were being developed to ensure that all cooperative societies operate profitably. He added that a review was under way to optimise the use of the 2,500 veterinarians in the Animal Husbandry Department and to enhance the research capabilities of Tanuvas. As many as 112 dairy entrepreneurs went through a three-month training in breeding, nutrition, housing, animal health, and milk value addition as part of the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme conducted by the Kumaraguru Institutions and the Environmental Defense Fund. Shankar Vanavarayar, president of Kumaraguru Institutions, said true rural transformation would begin when farmers became entrepreneurs. As part of the programme, around 40 entrepreneurs went on a 'Dairy Yatra', a 6,000-km cross-country learning expedition through Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The participants gained first-hand exposure to innovative dairy practices from the lush pastures of Coimbatore to the arid landscapes of Rajasthan, said Thanammal Ravichandran, programme manager, Kumaraguru Institutions. Mr. Thangaraj, along with K.N. Narendra Babu, Vice-Chancellor, TANUVAS, presented certificates to the dairy entrepreneurs.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Dairy Minister reviews cooperative milk societies in Nagapattinam
Tamil Nadu Dairy Development Minister T. Mano Thangaraj chaired a review meeting on Wednesday at the Nagapattinam Collectorate with secretaries of cooperative milk producer societies and officials from related departments. The meeting, jointly organised by the Dairy Department and Thanjavur District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union, reviewed progress on state-run dairy schemes. Mr. Mano Thangaraj said under the current government loans exceeding ₹1,000 crore have been provided to farmers across Tamil Nadu. In Nagapattinam district, 46 milk producer societies with 780 members procure around 3,600 litres of milk daily. Of this, 3,186 litres are sent to Thanjavur Aavin and 422 litres sold locally. From December 18, 2023, incentive payments totaling ₹28.94 lakh have been distributed, and ₹6.48 lakh directly credited to members' accounts in November 2024. Since April 2024, ₹123.7 lakh has been issued as loans to 219 members for dairy cows, and ₹63 lakh under Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to 282 members for cattle maintenance. Mr. Mano Thangaraj said the National Milk Registry Scheme is underway to register 4,400 Umbalacheri breed cows. Under the Rural Development Scheme, 11 societies were given milk procurement tools, and 34 more will receive quality testing kits, recognition awards, and registration certificates. He also distributed ₹20 lakh worth of dairy loans to 35 beneficiaries and honoured the top-selling society staff from Velippalayam. District Collector P. Akash, MP V. Selvaraj, Fisheries Corporation Chairman N. Gauthaman, and Kilvelur MLA V.P. Nagai Mali were present.
