In Coimbatore, dairy farmers have gone on strike, seeking a hike in milk prices. The farmers are protesting the low procurement prices being offered by the state-run Aavin dairy cooperative. The shortage of milk has led to delays in the delivery of milk packets across the state.
The farmers have been demanding that the state government increase the procurement price for milk by cooperative societies. As part of the strike, the farmers have emptied cans of milk on several roads in Coimbatore and other areas of western Tamil Nadu. They have threatened to stop supplying milk to Aavin, which could lead to further problems.
According to sources, Aavin already has a shortage of about 9 to 10 lakh litres a day, which could further increase in the upcoming days. The shortage has already led to delays in the delivery of milk packets to people across the state. The prices of Aavin milk are much cheaper than the ones sold by private companies.
The dairy farmers have urged district collector Kranti Kumar Pati to take up their demand for an increase in milk procurement prices with the government. They stated that dairying is no longer a profitable work for them due to increasing input costs. At the district collector’s office, they spoke about the monthly farmer’s grievance meeting.
Su Palanisamy, President of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said that Aavin was procuring cow milk at Rs 35 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs 42 per litre. He further added that prices of fodder and oil cake have risen abruptly in the past few months.
Thus, the price should be increased to Rs 50 per litre for cow milk and Rs 75 per litre for buffalo milk. The farmers are hoping that their demands will be heard and that a solution will be reached soon.
