Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has said a milk price increase in the state has become inevitable, arguing that the move is necessary to protect dairy farmers and ensure they receive fair returns.
He said milk prices in Karnataka remained lower than those in neighbouring states and that production had declined due to drought conditions. Without adequate remuneration, farmers could consider supplying milk to other states, he warned.
Shivakumar said dairy farmers needed financial support to provide proper feed and fodder for their cattle. Ensuring farmers received a fair price was essential to maintaining livestock and sustaining milk production, he added.
He said the government had taken the decision after detailed discussions, noting that milk prices had not been revised for several years. He also defended the proposed increase of Rs 12 per litre, saying it was intended to safeguard farmers’ interests.
The government, he said, was keen to keep milk prices affordable for consumers and below the price of curd. The final pricing structure would be determined based on the quantity of milk in each packet, he added.
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