Ex-MLA of Vilathikulam, now organic milkman

In his farm, Markandayan has close to 150 cows which give birth upto 50 calves every year. “We milk around 1,100 litres every day and sell it directly through our outlets at Vilathikulam and Kovilpatti. Per litre is priced at Rs 50, but it will be the best quality milk without any preservatives added to it,” says Markandayan. 

According to Markandayan, popular brands destroy the very nature of milk in the name of different processes and that was one of the reasons he ventured into the business to supply pure milk to consumers. Apart from milk, other dairy related products and sweets are also sold at his outlets.

Markandayan also prepares a natural manure, Panchakavya, with cow dung and urine available from his farm. “The manure is allowed to ferment for 48 days before being used in the fields in rain-fed areas. It makes chemical manures and other fertilisers unnecessary and the yield is devoid of pests too. The grains and red chilies cultivated using the manure are sold in our outlets,” he says. 

Another important aspect of his dairy farm is the production of gobar gas, a form of clean energy from cow dung. “With the gas thus produced, we cook food for all 50 employees thrice a day. It also reduces the electricity bill by Rs 1 lakh annually,” says Markandayan.

When he was elected as Vilathikulam MLA, his family members took over the business from 2011 to 2016. “Organic farmers can make upto 10 lakh per month, but the banks should come forward to fund them,” says Markandayan, who has plans to create 200 such entrepreneurs in and around major cities. “People living in urban areas too can get good quality milk and agriculture products and lead a healthy life,” he concludes.