Only yesterday, we spoke about the plight of the milk industry wherein farmers are facing huge losses due to the 21-day lockdown across the country. The Maharashtra Government has now stepped up its efforts to reduce the quantum of the losses for the dairy farmers.
The government will reportedly pay farmers Rs 25 per litre of milk, thus putting a stop to the dairy unions’ practice of underpaying milk farmers. The milk purchased daily will be converted into milk powder for storage and will be subsequently sold online.
Also Read - Dairy Farmers Facing Huge Losses Across Maharashtra Due To The Lockdown“The state government will procure ten lakh litres of milk through milk cooperative societies at Rs 25 per litre. The stock will be used to make milk powder which will be stored and sold online. It will be implemented through the state Milk Cooperative Federation," the deputy CM said.
The state saw milk prices dip to as low as Rs 15-17 per litre over the period of the lockdown largely due to the excess supply. Farmers will hope that the state government’s decision will offer them some respite.