Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday instructed the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) to avoid reducing the government-fixed milk procurement price for producers without prior consultation. He pointed out sudden price cuts would negatively impact farmers and urged the KMF to consider their welfare before making any decisions.
“One cannot cut the price suddenly. Any such decision should be taken only after discussing it with the government,” the Chief Minister told the Managing Director of Karnataka Milk Federation according to a government statement.
“If the price is cut, the farmers will suffer. This point should be kept in mind,” he added.

The directive comes after Bengaluru Milk Producers’ Union (BAMUL) announced that a special incentive of ₹2.85 per litre of milk will be provided from April 1 to May 31 due to low milk production during summer.
The BAMUL green fodder has become available due to good rains in the districts, resulting in the increased production of milk. For this reason, an order was issued to reduce the incentive by ₹1.50.

Earlier, farmers had strongly opposed the move to cut the procurement price of milk.

Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association president Kuruburu Shantakumar had claimed that milk producers are already affected by the increase in prices of feed and are paid ₹34 per litre, when the private dairies are paying ₹46 per litre.

He told the New Indian Express, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), maintaining that milk production has increased in recent months, had plans of cutting down the prices by Re 1 to ₹2 per litre, which would have hit producers, as lakhs of families are dependent on dairy activities for their livelihood. Urging KMF to drop the proposal to reduce milk prices, he had warned of launching a stir, had the new government proceeded with its plan against farmers’ interest.

Prior to the elections, controversy arose when Amul, a Gujarat-based milk cooperative, announced its entry into the Karnataka market to supply fresh milk and curd. The Congress party and other groups criticized the then Bharatiya Janata Party government for allowing Amul’s entry, arguing that it would adversely affect the local brand Nandini. In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah advocated cooperation between Amul and Nandini.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday instructed the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) to avoid reducing the government-fixed milk procurement price for producers without prior consultation. He pointed out sudden price cuts would negatively impact farmers and urged the KMF to consider their welfare before making any decisions.
“One cannot cut the price suddenly. Any such decision should be taken only after discussing it with the government,” the Chief Minister told the Managing Director of Karnataka Milk Federation according to a government statement.
“If the price is cut, the farmers will suffer. This point should be kept in mind,” he added.

The directive comes after Bengaluru Milk Producers’ Union (BAMUL) announced that a special incentive of ₹2.85 per litre of milk will be provided from April 1 to May 31 due to low milk production during summer.
The BAMUL green fodder has become available due to good rains in the districts, resulting in the increased production of milk. For this reason, an order was issued to reduce the incentive by ₹1.50. Earlier, farmers had strongly opposed the move to cut the procurement price of milk.

Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association president Kuruburu Shantakumar had claimed that milk producers are already affected by the increase in prices of feed and are paid ₹34 per litre, when the private dairies are paying ₹46 per litre.

He told the New Indian Express, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), maintaining that milk production has increased in recent months, had plans of cutting down the prices by Re 1 to ₹2 per litre, which would have hit producers, as lakhs of families are dependent on dairy activities for their livelihood. Urging KMF to drop the proposal to reduce milk prices, he had warned of launching a stir, had the new government proceeded with its plan against farmers’ interest.

Prior to the elections, controversy arose when Amul, a Gujarat-based milk cooperative, announced its entry into the Karnataka market to supply fresh milk and curd. The Congress party and other groups criticized the then Bharatiya Janata Party government for allowing Amul’s entry, arguing that it would adversely affect the local brand Nandini. In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah advocated cooperation between Amul and Nandini.