Milk producers seek fodder at subsidised rates

They also sought increase in milk procurement price, waiver of loans obtained by farmers and a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each farmer who died due to drought were among their demands. At the state-level consultative meeting in Namakkal on Saturday, association president AM Munusamy said that farmers will stage demonstrations before all the State Government offices in the State on February 14, pressing for the demands. 

General Secretary of the association K Mohammed Ali said that the procurement price of milk was last revised in November 2014. Price of cow milk was increased to Rs 28 a litre and buffalo milk at Rs 35 a litre. “We want it to be revised to Rs 35 and Rs 45 per litre keeping in mind the escalating feed price,” he said. 

He pointed out that the price of a bag (60 kg) of Aavin fodder was Rs 740 when milk price was increased two years ago. “The price of the same has now increased to Rs 1,140,” he added. They also urged the animal husbandry department to procure green fodder as the drought has resulted in shrinking fodder production and to provide it at a 50 per cent subsidy. 

On the other hand, farmers wanted the government to increase milk procurement and sales. They pointed out to statistics that daily milk procurement which was 30 lakh litres a day three months ago dropped to 24 lakh litres now. “Aavin has accumulated unsold milk powder, ghee and butter for Rs 500 crore and should be sold soon. Payment pending to farmers against milk procurement for close to three months should come to an end,” Mohammed Ali said. 

Representatives of milk producers associations from Vellore, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Trichy, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi, Salem, Namakkal, Erode and Karur participated in the meeting.