The Hindu Business Line : Milgram plans Rs 100-cr dairy valley in Idukki

Milgram, a Kochi-based business group, has embarked on a project to convert a 600-acre tea plantation near Vandiperiyar in Idukki district into a dairy valley involving an estimated investment of Rs 100 crore.

The project involves setting up a dairy farm complex comprising 150 independent farmhouses combining high-tech dairying with international standards, eco-friendly tourism and organic plantations at an exquisite location, said Mr Korah John, Managing Director of the promoter company, Milgram Milk Specialities. Each independent farmhouse will be owned by the investor and managed by Milgram Dairy India, a public limited company to be incorporated with the shareholding of the investors or the investor himself with the help of Milgram.

An independent farmhouse would have a minimum of one hectare of land, a farm shed, farm equipment, 10 high breed cows or heifers, and a vermicompost unit.

The minimum investment required for a farmhouse is Rs 17.75 lakh. An investor can opt for big-sized farms and extra facilities like gobar gas plant, cottages, etc., he said.

Currently, the entire area is under tea, which would be converted to organic, and part of the area would be utilised for fodder cultivation and floriculture.

All input services like world-class veterinary hospital, feeds etc., would be provided by Milgram. It would also purchase and market milk, tea and other outputs of the unit.The complex would include a luxurious guesthouse with all modern amenities, where owners can holiday.

A reporting package would be made available through the Internet, whereby the owners can evaluate the performances of their farmhouses through reports.

It would offer online interaction with the supervisors concerned to obtain direct information and to put across inquiries on the operations.

Heifer units would be developed through selected identified persons so that a fine breed of cattle could be developed at the farmhouse itself, Mr John said.

Principal revenue generation would be from sale of milk, tea leaves, pepper, vermicompost, and flowers, apart from rental from the cottages.

The investor can expect a reasonable return on investment since the project ensures revenue from various sources, he added.

In three years, the entire area would be developed into a township with all modern facilities, including a golf course, leading to appreciation in land value and consequential good resale value.

The project, which is to be developed as a dairy valley aimed at attracting those interested in farm tourism, would be completed in three phases, he said.

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