Karnataka dairy farmers seek KMF reforms based on Amul model, more investment in milk procurement

While approving the government’s milk price hike to support farmers, farmer groups have urged the government to determine the overall cost of producing milk and have requested that a fair purchase price be fixed according to the Swaminathan Commission’s C2+50% principle. | Photo Credit: File Photo

Following the recent hike in the prices of milk, curd and their by-products, farmers put forward a series of demands to the State government and the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). These included action against hotels for disproportionately increasing the prices of tea, coffee and other food items.

They also demanded that milk and curd be included in the food security basket for distribution to children at anganwadis, KMF’s financial position be strengthened, and the federation be run along the lines of the Amul model with minimal political interference.

Badagalapur Nagendra, president, Bengaluru, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, said, “Investment should be increased in the collection of milk, refrigeration, processing and value addition. Our State farmers involved in animal husbandry and farming have the potential to provide more than one crore litres of milk, and the KMF must work towards utilising this potential. However, this can happen only when the system is strengthened financially and is free from political interference — as in the Amul model. Fair elections must be conducted in the KMF so that elected candidates don’t have vested interests.”

He added, “The Amul model is stronger when it comes to marketing strategy, building infrastructure and marking its presence in other States so that it benefits their farmer community.”