March 27, 2012

Indian authorities to ensure fair prices for dairy farmers

Indian authorities will ensure that dairy farmers get prices linked to the cost of production, according to K.C. Joseph, the State Dairy Development Minister.

Inaugurating the State-level distribution of aid under the cattle feed subsidy scheme of the Union Government at Muvattupuzha, the Minister said that steps were being taken for achieving self-sufficiency in milk production in the state during the 12th Five Year plan.

The state, he said, has registered a 25% increase in milk production as the prices were increased by INR5 (US$0.10) a litre. The prices were hiked after conducting a detailed study on the subject and the government had decided not to appeal against the Court verdict that MILMA had the right to determine the price of milk.

The government is of the opinion that dairy farmers should get remunerative prices for the produce so as to prevent them from leaving the sector. According to the Minister, the State was importing about 8 litres of milk daily from neighbouring states. The quality of the milk being brought from other states was also a matter of concern.

The Government had sought extension of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to the dairy sector. The Union Government had given partial approval to the demand. The State Government will pursue the matter to get the demand accepted in full, he said.

The Minister also said that the government has taken note of the problems being faced by the pineapple growers in the state and measures would be initiated to mitigate them.