Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and improving access to banking services for dairy farmers, the Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED) has begun distributing micro-ATMs to milk cooperative societies across the state.
The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Odisha State Cooperative Bank, is expected to enable farmers to conduct banking transactions directly at their village-level milk societies, reducing the need for travel and improving the accessibility of milk payment withdrawals.
Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation officials said that 35 milk cooperative societies in Cuttack district received micro-ATMs on Friday. Earlier, 20 societies in Sambalpur district had been equipped with the devices, taking the total number of beneficiary societies to 55.
Speaking on the initiative, OMFED Managing Director Vijay Amruta Kulange said the project would provide significant relief to dairy farmers, many of whom have traditionally faced challenges in accessing banking infrastructure.
“Many farmers have had to travel considerable distances to withdraw their milk payment dues, and these difficulties become more pronounced during the monsoon season,” Kulange said.
The micro-ATMs will allow dairy farmers to:
- Withdraw milk payment amounts.
- Access basic banking services.
- Conduct secure and transparent financial transactions.
- Reduce travel time and associated costs.
- Improve access to digital financial services at the village level.
Officials said the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen the dairy cooperative ecosystem in Odisha by integrating technology and improving service delivery for producer members.
Industry experts note that timely and convenient access to payments remains a critical factor in sustaining farmer participation in cooperative dairy networks. By bringing banking facilities closer to rural communities, cooperatives can improve member satisfaction and encourage greater formal financial inclusion.
The deployment of micro-ATMs also aligns with the government’s push toward digital banking and cashless transactions in rural India, where banking penetration has historically lagged behind urban areas.
OMFED, one of eastern India’s leading dairy cooperatives, has played an important role in milk procurement, processing, and marketing across Odisha. The federation continues to expand its support services for dairy farmers through initiatives focused on procurement infrastructure, animal health, and technology adoption.
Observers believe that if the pilot deployment proves successful, the initiative could be expanded to additional districts, potentially benefiting thousands of dairy farmers across the state.
For many milk producers, the introduction of micro-ATMs represents more than just a technological upgrade—it offers easier access to their earnings and reinforces the cooperative sector’s role in improving rural livelihoods.
As India’s dairy industry increasingly embraces digital solutions, Odisha’s latest initiative highlights how technology can be leveraged not only to improve operational efficiency but also to make essential financial services more accessible to farmers at the grassroots level.
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