Milk set to become dearer by ₹8; government given a 3-day ultimatum

Consumers could face a major shock ahead of the festive season, as there is a demand to hike milk prices by ₹8 per liter. Producers have issued a three-day ultimatum to the government.

People in Karnataka may face another setback before the festive season, as a significant hike in milk prices is likely soon. Milk producer associations in the state have demanded an increase of ₹8 per liter. This demand was raised during a press conference held at the Bengaluru Press Club.

Why is the price hike being demanded?

They state that they are under pressure due to rising production costs and declining milk output. According to the Karnataka Milk Producers Association, several major milk unions—including Bamul, Chamul, Mandya Milk, and Tumkur—support this demand. The associations have also called for an increase in the government incentives provided to milk producers.

The producers have given the government a three-day ultimatum to meet these demands. They have warned that if the government does not convene a cabinet meeting and make a decision within this period, they will stage a protest march to the 'Vidhana Soudha'.

Dairy farmers in crisis

Nagaraj, President of the Bamul Milk Union, stated that dairy associations have been in talks with the state government for the past eight months, yet no decision has been reached. The unions are now demanding an ₹ 8-per-liter increase in the milk procurement price.

According to the milk unions, dairy farmers are currently facing a severe financial crisis. On one hand, scanty rainfall has led to a severe shortage of green fodder for livestock. Compounding this, the prices of animal feed and raw materials have surged by up to 25%. Added to this are rising transportation costs; collectively, these factors have significantly driven up the cost of milk production. Consequently, rearing livestock has become difficult for farmers, and this is impacting their overall output.

Impact on General Consumers

If the state government accepts the demands raised by milk unions and approves the proposal to hike prices, milk from brands like 'Nandini' will become significantly more expensive just before Navratri and Diwali. This will not only disrupt household budgets but could also cause the prices of sweets, *khoya* (condensed milk solids), and other dairy products to skyrocket during the festive season.