State-run Kerala Feeds clocks turnover of Rs 496 cr in 2019-20; to conduct training programme for expatriates next month

Kochi: State-owned Kerala Feeds Ltd (KFL) clocked a turnover of Rs 495.85 crore in 2019-20, nearly hitting the target despite a crisis owing to the COVID-19 pandemic towards the end of the financial year. The PSU had aimed at a turnover of Rs 500 crore during the fiscal, according to officials. “From the income we got selling each kilo of cattle feed, 91 percent was spent on buying raw materials. Yet we decided not to raise the prices,” said KFL Chairman KS Indusekharan Nair. “That compelled private players not to hike prices too much. In fact, we sold (50 kg bags) at a price that was 130 rupees less vis–vis the year-ago period,” he said in a statement here. KFL did face problems owing to the spread of the novel coronavirus, but it managed to resolve them with prompt and prudent measures. “The orders we had placed didn’t come from other states owing to the lockdown that restricted transportation,” Nair said. Kerala Animal Welfare Minister K Raju and Additional Chief Secretary RK Singh intervened and enabled the PSU to overcome the stalemate. “Also, we had to cut working hours (shifts) and production, he said. Click here to follow LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreak Further, KFL facilitated dairy farmers to contact the PSU and ensure supply of cattle feed. “This move helped us earn further access in various parts of Kerala,” said B Sreekumar, Managing Director of the company. “If there was no COVID, we would have surpassed the Rs 500 crore turnover target,” he said. Currently, the PSU is readying a mobile-phone app for dairy farmers to contact Kerala Feeds and order cattle feed. Further, the company will hold in July a training course for expatriates who have returned to Kerala and are planning to start cattle farms. Named ‘‘Entrepreneurial Vigour’’, the project will also rope in new-generation youths into dairying, according to Sreekumar. The 1995-founded KFL is headquartered at Kallettumkara near Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district.