Hassan: Hassan Cooperative Milk Union (Hamul), which serves Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts, is seeking to expand its market presence in Bengaluru.Despite having surplus milk handling capacity, the union sends 4.5 to 5 lakh litres of milk to Bengaluru every day due to limited local market demand. Hamul has urged the state govt and the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) to provide it with a stronger market foothold in the city, said Hamul president and MLA HD Revanna.The union has set a turnover target of Rs 3,182.3 crore for 2026-27. It currently markets about 2 lakh litres of milk and curd daily in cities, including Hyderabad, and aims to increase the figure to 2.5 lakh litres next year.Revanna said Karnataka collects around one crore litres of milk daily. Hamul collects 15.2 lakh litres a day, making it the third-largest milk union in the state. Tumakuru tops the list with 19.9 lakh litres, followed by Bengaluru with 18 lakh litres. Mandya collects about 13 lakh litres a day, he added.He also urged KMF to reduce commissions on the sale of milk, butter and ghee to ensure higher returns for dairy farmers through a more efficient business model.Hamul recorded a turnover of Rs 2,713.1 crore in 2025-26, registering a growth of 13.4% over the previous year. It posted a profit of Rs 11.7 crore, the second-highest among milk unions in the state. Bengaluru Milk Union reported a profit of Rs 15.7 crore, followed by Mandya at Rs 10.6 crore and Shivamogga at Rs 9.2 crore. Some unions incurred losses, Revanna said.Highlighting the Mega Dairy project, Revanna said the facility is being developed on 78 acres at Agraharika in Hassan. The dairy, with an initial processing capacity of 10 lakh litres per day, is being built at a cost of Rs 830.6 crore and can be expanded to 15 lakh litres in the future.Civil works and equipment installation have been completed, and trial runs have already been conducted. The facility is expected to commence operations by the end of 2026 or early 2027. A 60-tonne milk powder plant will also be established as part of the project. Efforts are underway to secure export licences for Hassan dairy products.In addition, the Mega Dairy campus will be developed into a tourist destination at a cost of Rs 72.8 crore. The project will feature an amphitheatre, museum, waterfall, garden, toy train and musical fountain, among other attractions.
