Dairy farming is among the sectors seriously affected by price rise. The cattle feed prices have gone up steeply in recent months, but there is no indication of a corresponding hike in milk prices. The main fronts facing the electorate have chosen to ignore the farmers’ demand for a price rise.
Though the manifestoes of the LDF and the UDF mention about plans to increase milk production and attain self-sufficiency, they are mum on increasing the procurement price.
But the fronts are in no position to offer an increase for several reasons. First, the pricing is done by the apex body of milk cooperative societies, Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (KCMMF), Milma, ruled by the UDF.
The authority to increase prices was vested with Milma after a court battle with the government in 2011. Since then, Milma has increased the price twice, with the last hike in 2014.
But the farmers are unhappy and are clamouring for a hike. Though there are thousands of small-scale farmers who do not supply milk to the Milma network, a unilateral hike in prices by private players will boomerang on them. Milma distributes 12 lakh litres of milk daily, of which 3 lakh litres are brought from other States.
Milma will have to review the prices periodically, according to a court ruling which gave it the power to decide on procurement and market prices. In fact, the top brass of the milk marketing body hinted at a review a month ago, but the word no longer prevails. “There is no scope for an increase now or in the months ahead,” P.T. Gopala Kurup, Milma chairman, told The Hindu , adding that such a move was not permitted during election time.
Even otherwise, the cooperative body would not have liked to make a promise as it would invite the wrath of the public which could make a heavy impact on the electorate.
“None cares for the sector,” says Gino G.Maliyakal, general secretary of the Kerala Aggressive Dairy Farmers’ Association. The organisation had recently poured milk into the streets in a show of protest against the non-remunerative prices.
The benefits given to farmers under the Milma network is not available to other farmers. The approved quality standards for milk procurement by Milma are unrealistic, he said. “Many small-scale dairy farmers who own one or two cows are in penury,” he says. There are many disenchanted voters among them who would not like to go to polling booths, he adds. Ironically, it happens at a time when the government is spending large amounts under the SVEEP initiative to widen the voter base.
