KRRS backs milk price hike, opposes criticism

KRRS leader Badagalapura Nagendra (left) addressing a press meeting in Mysuru on Wednesday.

The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has welcomed the hike in milk and curd prices in the State, citing the rising cost of cattle feed.

“Since the cost of cattle feed and fodder has increased, a hike in milk and curd prices is necessary. Considering the cost of investment and cattle feed, dairy farmers are struggling to meet their expenses with their less income,” said Badagapura Nagendra, president of KRRS, while addressing the press conference here on Wednesday.

Following the price revision, farmers are now receiving ₹37–40 per litre against the earlier rate of ₹30–33, he said.

Criticising BJP leaders for opposing the price hike, Mr. Nagendra said that most of the families sustained in villages due to dairy farming. Women are the backbone of the dairy industry and put in considerable hard work to keep it running, he said.

Alleging that the BJP was not committed to the welfare of farmers, Mr. Nagendra questioned the BJP State unit’s silence over the hike in LPG and fuel prices.

“Consumers do not raise objections while paying ₹10 for a bottle of water. However, when milk prices are increased, they take to the streets in protest,” he said.

Questioning the opposition to the milk price hike, farmers’ leader Hosakote Basavaraj said that a cup of tea costs ₹30 at hotels in Mysuru. If 15 cups of tea are prepared using a litre of milk, hotels can earn ₹450, which is considerably higher than the amount paid to dairy farmers for the milk, he said.

The KRRS would stage a protest in the coming days to caution hotels against price rise, he added.

Farmers’ leaders highlighted the alleged irregularities at Chaitra Goshale near Pandavapura where a shortage of fodder has reportedly affected several cows and animals are allegedly being used for leather industry.

KRRS, in coordination with the sugarcane farmers’ association, will stage a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Friday, demanding an increase in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar for commercial use, revision of the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane, fixation of the sugarcane price at ₹4,500 per tonne at a recovery rate of 8.5%, and an incentive of ₹1,000 per tonne of sugarcane in the State.

Mr. Nagendra said that only 30% of sugar consumers were domestic consumers, while the remaining 70% used sugar for commercial purposes. Citing the Food and Civil Supplies Act, he said that different prices should be fixed for commodities meant for domestic and commercial use.

He urged the Union government to introduce a National Sugar Policy in the interests of farmers.

The KRRS also urged the State government to implement the State Advisory Price (SAP) based on the Rangaraju Committee report.

Farmers’ leader Kempugowda and others were present during press conference.