Team Goemkarponn
PONDA: Goa Dairy reported a profit of ₹1.27 crore for the financial year 2024-25 at its annual general meeting chaired by president Parag Nagarsekar.
The session was attended by managing director Naveen Kumar and government-appointed directors Rama Parab and Venkatesh Shenoi.
The meeting began on a tense note when farmers objected to the presence of disqualified directors inside the hall.
Members argued that since the Cooperative Department had declared them ineligible, they could not legally participate. The disqualified members, however, insisted they were attending as presidents of their respective milk societies rather than in the capacity of Goa Dairy directors.
During discussions, concerns were raised over falling milk procurement and declining consumer demand. Farmers pressed for measures to attract new entrants into the sector and demanded a higher support price for existing producers.
A resolution was passed to recommend that the government increase the current 40% support price to 100%.
Former chairman Durgesh Shirodkar questioned the sustainability of the reported profit, pointing out that ₹1.47 crore was earned through interest income alone.
He further noted that the retirement of several senior employees had reduced salary expenditure, which may have also boosted the profit margin.
Members also explored the possibility of reviving the Kamdhenu Yojana in a revised format to strengthen the dairy sector and support farmers.
