Nandini Milk Hike: Farmers Gain, Consumers Feel Pinch
Consumers in Karnataka are feeling the pinch as Nandini milk becomes Rs 8 per litre more expensive from Sunday. Curd has also been repriced from Rs 54 to Rs 68 per kilogram. The Bengaluru Milk Union Limited (BAMUL) and the state government say the increase is a necessary step for dairy farmers.
BAMUL chairman D.K. Suresh, who is the younger brother of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, has come out in defence of the price revision. He said the decision aims to build a stronger base for farmers and keep dairy farming sustainable.
Suresh said: “If farmers do not survive, none of us will. Nandini milk will cost you more, but this is positive news for farmers. I am sorry for raising prices, but farmers must also be able to live.”
He added that numerous urban residents trace their origins to families involved in animal husbandry and milk production. According to him, the government is pursuing multiple measures to empower farmers and bolster the dairy segment. He also encouraged people to keep purchasing Nandini milk, ghee and paneer.
The government maintains that the Rs 8 per litre rise will secure better returns for milk producers. Yet the curd price increase of Rs 14 per kilogram has heightened consumer anxiety.
Chief Minister Shivakumar, speaking on Saturday, defended the move as a step to protect farmers and cattle. He said drought-like conditions were affecting milk production and that providing quality fodder for animals had become more costly.
He revealed that farmers had been asking for a hike of up to Rs 12 per litre, and that milk prices in neighbouring states were already higher. He cautioned that if farm incomes fall short, farmers would have to cut back on cattle feed, which would hurt milk production and animal health.
Shivakumar also stated that the approval came only after prolonged review. Declining output due to drought, farmer demands and livestock security were all taken into account.
On the issue of curd prices, the Chief Minister said the state cannot control them directly. Factors like the fat content of milk and related products also affect pricing.
The Karnataka government and the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) expect the hike to ease the situation for dairy farmers. Consumer organisations, however, warn that ordinary people will bear the additional weight of inflation. With this, the discussion around milk and dairy product prices is gaining momentum across the state.