Increase in milk prices brings relief to dairy farmers

After the increase in milk price by ₹8 per liter of milk, farmers welcomed the decision, saying it will help them meet the rising cost of feeding and maintaining their cattle.

Hemanth Doddy, a dairy farmer from Byramangala said, “I am happy that the price of milk has increased as it will help the farmers. At present Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) is providing cattle fodder and mineral mix to the farmers but we have to pay for them. Farmers are also buying different types of cattle fodder from local farmers independently, mill owners and private sellers, apart from fodder from AMF, 5 kg grass can also be purchased. Cattle feed costs ₹ 1,250 while mineral mix costs around ₹ 40 per kg cattle grass costs ₹ 4,000 to ₹ 5,000 per tonne Besides we have to mix chaff which is bought from the mills.

Mr. Hemanth added, “The different costs of husks range from ₹1,250 to ₹1,700 for 30 to 34 kg. For example, if a farmer sells 10 liters of milk in one day, he can earn ₹450 per day, of which ₹200 as profit can be deducted as expenses and ₹20.”

He also noted that milk production cannot be constant, especially during a drought like this year. In such cases, farmers suffer heavy losses as they cannot stop feeding cows just because milk production is low.

Another dairy farmer, Purushotham from Bidadi, said, “KMF pays farmers ₹36 to procure one liter of milk, which is little compared to some independent farmers who earn ₹55 per liter by selling milk to flats and individual houses. Now that the price of milk has gone up, I hope the government will not increase the price of cattle feed and other materials, cattle feed prices have remained the same for the last two years.”

Published – 29 Oct 2026 21:09 IST