In a move aimed at addressing the concerns of dairy farmers, the government of Karnataka is considering a potential increase in the price of Nandini milk supplied by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). The decision on the exact percentage of the price hike is yet to be finalized, according to Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh.
Under the proposed plan, 70% of the increased amount would be directly provided to farmers, while the remaining 30% would be retained by the milk union. Currently, toned milk is priced at ₹39 per liter. Minister Venkatesh revealed that discussions will be held with stakeholders and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before arriving at a final decision regarding the price hike.
Addressing the concerns raised by Janata Dal (Secular) Member K.A. Thippeswamy during a discussion on the state’s dairy sector, Minister Venkatesh confirmed that the government has already cleared the pending incentive of ₹5 per litre for milk farmers until February 2023. He further assured the members that the remaining outstanding dues would be settled promptly.
During the discussion, various members, including Hanumanth Nirani and Tejaswini Gowda, emphasized the need for the release of pending financial incentives and called for a substantial increase in milk prices to benefit the farmers.
The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has long advocated for a milk price hike of at least ₹5 per litre, citing the challenges faced by dairy farmers. In a recent meeting with the Minister, KMF representatives reiterated their request for a price hike. While a ₹2 per liter increase was permitted in November 2022, KMF contended that it was insufficient, considering that input costs in the dairy industry had risen by over 30% in recent years.
