Decision on milk price hike soon, says Minister Manju

'Extra amount to be given to producers as support price'

 Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture A Manju said that raising the price of milk is inevitable but the decision will be taken after convening a meeting shortly.

Speaking to reporters after holding a video conference with officials from different districts on Monday, he said that the state is reeling under drought.

Farmers struggling
“Dairy farmers are in distress. Raising the price of milk is inevitable to come to the rescue of dairy farmers. The hiked amount would be paid to the milk producers as support price. The government is committed to support dairy farmers,” said the minister.

“Compared to Nandini, the private milk firms are selling milk at higher rates. They are charging Rs 6 to 7 higher for a litre of milk than Nandini. All the milk federations have given their nod for hiking the milk price,” he explained.

Fodder bank
“To set up a fodder bank, a sum of Rs 20 lakh has been released to each taluk in the state. There is shortage of fodder in Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, Hassan, Gadag, Bidar, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Chikkamagaluru districts. Water tanks should be constructed in all villages to supply water for cattle. All precautionary measures should be taken to supply water and fodder for cattle,” he added.

“Enough stock of fodder should be collected in all the taluks and distributed as per the directions of the government. Complaints on shortage of fodder should not reach us,” he said.

The minister reviewed the implementation of the Pashubhagya scheme, the Amrutha scheme and the scheme for rearing of goats, sheep and chicken.