People in Karnataka are going to have another price hike after milk prices were hiked recently, as the KMF (Karnataka Milk Federation) has revised the prices of Nandini milk and curd. The new rates will come into effect from November 1 after a decision taken at the Karnataka State Cabinet meeting.
Several varieties of milk and curd sold under the Nandini brand would be affected by the revised prices. While the toned milk price has been hiked by Rs 8 per litre, curd costs one litre more; it now costs Rs 14 more than before. This announcement will affect household budgets, especially families who buy milk and curd regularly.
Half a litre Nandini curd will now cost Rs 34 (from Rs 28), while the price of one litre curd has been increased from Rs 54 to Rs 68 (from Rs 34). This means that customers have to pay an extra Rs 6 for a half-litre packet and Rs 14 for a one-litre packet. The hike will come into effect from November 1, and consumers will have higher monthly expenses on dairy products. Curd is something that most Karnataka households eat regularly, so the revised rates are likely to affect grocery spending every day.
Several varieties of Nandini milk have also become dearer. Toned milk price has been increased from Rs 46 to Rs 54 per litre; homogenised toned milk will now cost Rs 56 as against Rs 47; homogenised cow milk will now cost Rs 58 instead of Rs 50 and Special Toned Milk and Shubham Milk will now cost Rs 64 as against Rs 52 earlier. Homogenised Shubham Milk will also be dearer its price has gone up from Rs 53 to Rs 65. The rates are based on fat content and category of milk, and customers will have to pay according to the revised prices from November 1.
KMF said the price revision is being done to support dairy farmers and strengthen the dairy sector in the state. KMF has been working for nearly five decades under the cooperative principle of ‘By the farmers, for the farmers and of the farmers’. It supports the economic and social development of lakhs of dairy farmers across Karnataka.
KMF said there are about 26.89 lakh dairy farmer members in the state at present. About 8.9 lakh milk supply every day to cooperative societies by these dairy farmers. The federation said an average of Rs 28.60 crore is paid daily to milk producers.
The federation pointed out that dairy farmers are facing problems due to lack of rainfall and shortage of water and cattle fodder. “Rainfall has not been sufficient in many areas, resulting in drought-like conditions which have increased financial burden on those who depend on dairy farming for their livelihood.
Cost of maintaining cattle, arranging fodder, providing drinking water and buying medicines has increased considerably. Without financial support, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the farmers to continue with dairying,” KMF had said. In view of these challenges, KMF reportedly had requested the state government to increase milk procurement price by at least Rs 10 to Rs 12 per litre so as to give relief to milk producers.
The issue was then taken up at the Karnataka Cabinet meeting, and the government considered the interests of dairy farmers as well as the long-term sustainability of the dairy sector. As per the KMF announcement, the government has directed an Rs 8 per litre increase in the selling price of Nandini toned milk.
Out of this revised amount, Rs 7 will be transferred to milk producers for better earnings and financial support so that dairy farmers are encouraged to continue supplying milk to cooperative societies and help them manage increasing production and maintenance costs also.
KMF has further said that the revised selling prices will be applicable to all varieties of Nandini milk and curd from November 1. The pricing changes have been made taking into account fat content in different dairy products. Though the federation says this is done keeping in mind milk producers’ interest, consumers will have to bear higher prices for essential dairy products as well since households are already reeling under rising costs on groceries and other daily needs.
With the new rates effective from November 1, Nandini customers in Karnataka should check price labels before buying milk and curd. Price revision will generate additional revenue for the dairy cooperative system, and a major portion of the increase would be given to farmers. How much this procurement support is revised for milk, and how it helps dairy farmers manage rising costs while ensuring supply stability across the state over the next few months, will be clear in the coming months.
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