The revised price of cow milk will now be ₹58 per litre, while the mixed milk will be available at ₹65 per litre. The buffalo milk will be available at ₹73, which earlier would cost ₹70.
As per the association president, due to hike in diesel prices and cost of fodder, they were forced to increase the rate of milk. The price of diesel has seen an increment of ₹4.68 per litre and costs ₹89.6 per litre.
Currently, there are 800 dairy farmers in Haibowal area and 1.5 lakh litre milk is daily supplied in residential areas, to restaurants, dhabas, and sweets shops.
Paramjeet Singh, chairman of Haibowal Dairy Farmers’ Association, said, “Last year, due to the coronavirus outbreak, all dairy farmers had suffered losses following the closure of restaurants, sweets shops and dhabas. For the entire year, we did not increase the price of milk so that people don’t feel burdened. We were planning to increase the price by ₹5, but considering the prevailing situation, we decided to hike it by ₹3.”
Out of 1.5 lakh litre daily production, 40% is supplied at doorsteps in residential areas and the rest is sent to commercial outlets according to the reports published in hindustantimes.com.
The president of Ludhiana Dairy Farmers’ Association, DS Oberoi, said, “In the last one year, the price of fodder has increased, and dairy farmers have been overburdened. The hike in fuel prices has been another reason for the latest increase in the rates of milk. Last year, due to the pandemic, the association had decided against increasing the price which is usually done in the month of March every year. In 2019, we had increased the price by ₹2 per litre.”
Meanwhile, residents are upset with the latest decision of the association. Kapil Khurana, a resident of Haibowal Kalan, said, “Due to the pandemic, many people have lost their jobs and suffered losses in business. A hike in fuel price coupled with the revised price of milk is burning a hole in the pocket of a common man. For the last 20 years, we have been getting milk supply at home from dairy and a hike of ₹3 will affect our monthly budget.”
