Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 31: Consumers in Karnataka are set to face another price hike following the recent increase in milk prices, with the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) revising the selling prices of Nandini milk and curd. The revised prices will come into effect from November 1, in accordance with the decision taken at the state Cabinet meeting.

Under the revised rates, the price of 500 ml curd has been increased from Rs 28 to Rs 34, while the price of one litre of curd has gone up from Rs 54 to Rs 68. Consumers will have to pay an additional Rs 6 for half a litre of curd and Rs 14 for one litre.

The prices of various types of milk have also been increased. The price of toned milk has been raised from Rs 46 to Rs 54 per litre, while homogenised toned milk will now cost Rs 56, up from Rs 47.

The price of homogenised cow's milk has been increased from Rs 50 to Rs 58 per litre. Special toned milk and Shubham milk will now cost Rs 64 each, compared to the earlier price of Rs 52. Homogenised Shubham milk has been increased from Rs 53 to Rs 65 per litre.

The Karnataka Milk Federation has been functioning for the past five decades on the cooperative principle of ‘By the farmers, for the farmers and of the farmers’. It works towards the economic and social development of lacs of dairy farmers across the state.

According to KMF, Karnataka currently has around 26.89 lac dairy farmer members, of whom approximately 8.9 lac supply milk to cooperative societies every day. An average of Rs 28.60 crore is paid to milk producers daily.

KMF stated that inadequate rainfall at the appropriate time this year has led to water and fodder shortages, creating drought-like conditions. As a result, farmers have been incurring higher expenses for livestock maintenance, veterinary treatment and fodder supply, making it increasingly difficult to sustain dairy farming.

In view of these challenges, KMF had submitted a request to the state government seeking an increase of at least Rs 10 to Rs 12 per litre in the milk procurement price.

Keeping the interests of dairy farmers in mind and with the objective of providing them with appropriate incentives and ensuring the sustainable growth of the dairy sector, the matter was discussed at the state Cabinet meeting.

According to KMF's statement, the Cabinet directed that the selling price of Nandini toned milk be increased by Rs 8 per litre and that Rs 7 from the revised amount be transferred to milk producers.

In addition, the selling prices of all varieties of Nandini milk and curd have been revised based on their fat content. The revised rates will come into effect from November 1.