Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF)
Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) is the parent body of 16 milk unions across Karnataka. The first dairy cooperative began in 1955 at Kudige, Kodagu. Established in 1974 as Karnataka Dairy Development Corporation (KDDC) with support from World Bank, it was renamed KMF in 1984. Today, KMF is India’s second-largest milk cooperative after Amul, marketing products like milk, curd, ghee, butter, ice cream and sweets under the brand name of Nandini.
Chamarajanagar - The land of cultural and traditional heritage
Chamarajanagar District Co-operative Milk Producers Union (CHAMUL) was formed in 2015 after bifurcation from Mysore Milk Union. Initially functioning with Mysore till 2019, CHAMUL has since grown independently. With ₹31 crores grant from the Karnataka Government, ₹50 crores loan from NDDB’s DIDF, and its own capital, CHAMUL has set up a modern automated dairy plant at the total cost of ₹133 crores.
The main dairy plant at Kuderu, spread across 40 acres, began operations on 1st April 2019 with a milk processing capacity of 3 LLPD, expandable to 5 LLPD. It houses a 2 LLPD automated UHT unit, along with 5 LLPD Water and Effluent Treatment Plants.
The plant is equipped with advanced machinery, packing 40,000 liters of milk and 6,000 kg of curd daily. It also includes a Continuous Butter Making unit producing 800 kg/hour, and ghee packing machines with a combined capacity of 1,920 packs/hour.
Procurement and Input Activities
CHAMUL covers 633 villages across five taluks with 503 registered MPCS (469 functional, including 90 women-led). Of these, 388 MPCS have Automated Milk Chilling Units. The union operates through 3 sub-offices and since September 2019, procures an average of 3 lakh kg of milk daily via 101 BMCs across 22 routes, with 90% quality above 8.5 SNF.
To support farmers, CHAMUL provides affordable cattle feed, mineral mixtures, and supplements. It is the first union to procure milk solely through BMCs, with all societies covered under Cluster Artificial Insemination (AI) Centers.
Marketing Activities
CHAMUL markets an average of 60,000 LPD of milk and 12,000 KPD of curd through 24 distribution routes, supplying 431 agent shops, S parlors, 4 outlets, and 2 cold storage centers. The “Nandini on Wheels” vehicle promotes products across the district, especially in rural areas and during public events like Jataras and Utsavas, boosting brand visibility and sales.