Justin D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Jan 16: The district unit of Sahakara Bharathi has called for an increase in the rate of milk that the dairy farmers are getting while supplying it to the milk societies and also provide subsidy to buy animal feed in the state budget.
Addressing press persons here on Monday, January 16, president Bola Sadashiva Shetty said, “Sahakara Bharathi had organised a huge convention at Rajangana of Sri Krishna Math on October 27, 2022 and held a post card campaign urging the government to raise the price of milk. An appeal in this regard was also sent to state government through DC.
“State BJP government agreed to raise the price of milk by a meagre two rupees per litre overlooking the outrage expressed by the dairy farmers. But the two rupee hike is not at all enough. The expenses of dairy farming have risen by leaps and bounds and prices of animal feed prices are also increasing continuously. Besides, disbursement of salary to labourers, veterinary charges and transportation costs have caused distress to dairy farmers.
“As the dairy farmers are not getting the buying price in accordance with the cost of production. Although they are concerned they are not interested in milk production. The result of this is the severe shortage of milk. All milk federations in the state are facing extreme fianancial distress," he said.
“State government is going to present the budget in the month of February. It should respond to the difficulties of dairy farmers and provide support price of Rs 5 per liter and a subsidy of Rs 5 subsidy for the Nandini animal feed through a special grant in the budget," Shetty said.
“A huge protest is being organised on January 19 at 10 am in front of the DC's office for the fulfilment of demands of dairy farmers. Hundreds of dairy farmers will take part in the protest,” he said.
Mohan Kumar Kumblekar, organising chief of Mysuru division, Manjunath S K, co-convener of national fisheries, Prashanth, district secretary, Sujit, organising secretary and Sanoor Narasimha Kamath, state convener were present.