Farmers Movement Archive

Maharashtra: Dairy farmers dump milk on road, seek better prices

NASHIK: Dairy farmers from across the state staged protests on Thursday by pouring milk on roads to protest ‘low’ procurement rates by cooperatives and private dairies. The stir was organised by Dudh Utpadak Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti (DUSSS) and All India Kisan Sabha. Chief of DUSSS, Ajit Navale, said that the stir was a success as large number of farmers from north Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada took part in it. “As a part of the protest, these anguished farmers spilled milk on the roads. The state government must intervene to ensure the dairy farmers get proper procurement rates,” said Navale. According to him, dairy farmers would get Rs 35/litre in the pre-Covid period from the cooperatives and dairies. “Once strict curbs were imposed during Covid, the farmers were paid just Rs 20/litre. This amount does even cover the production cost that the dairy farmers incur,” he said, adding that the state government must also tackle the issue of milk adulteration. A dairy farmer of Ahmednagar, Somnath Pawar, said they poured milk on road to draw the attention of the government about the desperate plight of the farmers on procurement rate issue. Last year too, dairy farmers had staged a protest seeking better procurement price for milk. Dairy business has taken a hit as their bulk consumers — sweet manufacturers, ice cream makers and hotels have reduced demand.

The Times of India

2021-06-18

Nashik