Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (MS)

Karkala, Nov 4: The price of cattle feed has been increasing continuously for the past few months. This has made dairy farmers' lives miserable as they are unable to balance production cost of milk and the income from selling it.

The rate of animal feed including dry grass has skyrocketed. This is having a direct impact on the milk producers. Milk federations have fixed a price of Rs 36 per liter including Rs 5 per litre support price from the government. The present milk price of Nandini brand is Rs 44. Government needs to increase the purchase price of milk producers.

Due to incessant rains this year, the production of cattle feed is also low. That is why the price is increasing considerably. Nandini Gold feed was costing Rs 990 per 50 kilo bag in June. The price rose to Rs 1,065 in September and now to Rs 1,190. This means that the price has increased by Rs 210 in just four months. The rate of Nandini Bypass cattle feed is quoting around Rs 1,310.

Ranjit, a milk producer in Udupi says, “Dairy farmers are distraught due to the increase in the prices of cattle feed. Government has to increase the purchase price of milk to Rs 50 per liter. This will give profit to dairy farmers also.”