KRRS supports milk and curd price hike in Karnataka
The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha cited rising cattle feed and fodder costs as reasons for the price revision.
The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has welcomed the increase in milk and curd prices in the state, according to The Hindu. KRRS president Badagapura Nagendra said during a press conference in Mysuru on Wednesday that the hike is necessary because the costs of fodder and cattle feed have risen.
Nagendra stated that dairy farmers are struggling to cover expenses due to low income and high investment costs. Following the price revision, farmers are receiving between ₹37 and ₹40 per litre, up from the previous rate of ₹30 to ₹33 per litre.
Criticising BJP leaders for opposing the hike, Nagendra alleged the party is not committed to farmer welfare and questioned their silence regarding LPG and fuel price increases. Farmers' leader Hosakote Basavaraj noted that hotels in Mysuru charge ₹30 for a cup of tea, suggesting that the profit from milk used in tea is much higher than what is paid to farmers.
The KRRS plans to hold demonstrations soon to warn hotels against raising prices. The organisation also highlighted alleged irregularities at Chaitra Goshale near Pandavapura, where a fodder shortage has reportedly affected cows and animals are allegedly being used for the leather industry.
In coordination with the sugarcane farmers’ association, the KRRS will protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Friday. The group is demanding a revision of the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane and the fixation of sugarcane prices at ₹4,500 per tonne at a recovery rate of 8.5%.
Nagendra also urged the Union government to introduce a National Sugar Policy and called on the State government to implement the State Advisory Price (SAP) based on the Rangaraju Committee report.