Dairy farmers to protest over milk procurement prices

Urging the State government to increase the procurement price of milk, the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers Association has announced a state-wide protest on March 18.

Addressing the media here on Tuesday, Association state president K. Mohammed Ali said 15 lakh families are engaged in milk production. Aavin procures only 35 lakh litres from them every day. “The government increased the procurement price by ₹3 to ₹35 per litre in 2022, whereas private companies procure milk at ₹40 per litre,” he said. Additionally, unlike other States that provide various incentives, Tamil Nadu provides only ₹3 as an incentive, he added.

Mr. Mohammed Ali said milk producers have not received their incentive payments for the past three months, and delays in payments have forced many to shift to private companies. He claimed that Aavin suffered a ₹1,000 crore loss due to a ₹3 reduction in milk prices over the past four years. The government to provide compensation to cover this loss.

He further stated that, as part of their demand for a higher procurement price, milk producers, along with their cows, will stage a protest at district headquarters on March 18. “Currently, cow milk is procured at ₹35 per litre, and buffalo milk at ₹41 per litre. These rates should be increased to ₹45 per litre and ₹51 per litre, respectively,” he added.