Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 27: The Karnataka Cabinet is set to make a final decision on hiking the price of Nandini milk, supplied by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), during its meeting on Thursday.
While KMF and farmers’ organizations have been pushing for an increase of Rs 5 per litre, sources indicate that the state government has settled on a Rs 3 hike to balance consumer affordability and farmers’ interests.
The issue has been under discussion for weeks. On March 5, Minister for Animal Husbandry K. Venkatesh had confirmed that the government was committed to increasing Nandini milk prices, with the final hike to be decided in consultation with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Farmers, however, have demanded a much steeper hike of Rs 10 per litre to offset rising production costs.
Despite strong lobbying from KMF, the government has been cautious in making a decision, fearing a public backlash over the price increase. The Department of Animal Husbandry, along with various farmers' associations, has also backed the demand for a price revision, emphasizing the need to ensure fair procurement rates for dairy farmers.
Milk federations across the state have united in support of the hike, arguing that Karnataka’s milk prices remain significantly lower than in neighboring states. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, milk is priced at Rs 56 per litre, in Kerala at Rs 54, and in Andhra Pradesh at Rs 58. Currently, a one-litre blue packet of Nandini milk in Karnataka costs Rs 44, following a Rs 2 price hike in June 2024, which was accompanied by an additional 50 ml per packet to counter criticism.
Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had expressed reservations about increasing prices but assured KMF representatives that the cabinet would take a final call soon. Meanwhile, farmer groups have intensified their protests, with the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Green Brigade staging demonstrations at the KMF office in Bengaluru on February 10, demanding a procurement price of at least Rs 50 per litre and an interim support price of Rs 10 per litre until a minimum support price (MSP) policy is implemented.
As the final decision looms, the Karnataka government faces a delicate balancing act between consumer affordability and fair compensation for dairy farmers.