Mysuru Dairy Women Farmers Fight for Fair Pricing & Value Share

In a compelling grassroots movement emerging from Mysuru, Karnataka, a collective of women dairy farmers has stepped forward to demand fair milk pricing and equitable value share in the dairy value chain. Spurred by rising input costs and stagnant farmgate prices, these women — traditionally unpaid or marginally compensated contributors to dairy families — are organising for pricing transparency and stronger bargaining power with dairy processors and cooperatives. (The Better India)

The movement draws inspiration from farmer leaders like Buddha Kamalesh Mandya, who has emphasised that women — often entrusted with milking and animal care — deserve a direct voice in pricing discussions and decision-making platforms. Their demands focus on ensuring that small producers receive a fair share of the consumer rupee, especially as dairy processors and retailers expand value-added portfolios with significantly higher margins. (The Better India)

Women participants speak of the daily grind of milking, feeding and herd management, often without commensurate income, while market prices for milk have remained flat or inconsistent in recent seasons. In response, they are advocating for mechanisms such as quality-linked pricing, cooperative membership benefits, and transparent procurement policies that reflect the true cost of production — including rising prices of feed, fodder and veterinary care. (The Better India)

The initiative is also significant because it brings gender equity into dairy economics, highlighting that women — who contribute disproportionately to on-farm tasks — should share both power and profit. Experts note that formal recognition of women’s roles in dairy governance and pricing boards can strengthen rural incomes and uplift entire households, especially in a sector where over 70% of producers are small-scale and family-based.

This movement mirrors larger debates in the Indian dairy sector around value distribution, cooperative restructuring and fair pay for producers — themes echoed in recent policy dialogues, budget reviews and trade discussions. With processors expanding into high-margin value-added products like flavoured milks, cheese and fortified beverages, ensuring that primary producers benefit equitably remains a central challenge. (The Better India)

By organising regionally and spreading awareness through community networks, Mysuru’s dairy women are challenging traditional hierarchies and asserting that fair milk pricing is not just an economic issue, but a matter of social justice. Their efforts underscore the need for inclusive price discovery mechanisms, gender-sensitive procurement models and empowerment pathways that connect barn-level realities to boardroom decisions.

Source : Dairynews7x7 Feb 19th 2026 Read full story here

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