PDFA Punjab seek hike in milk procurement rates

Dairy farmers in Punjab have now sought hike in milk procurement prices from the state-owned milk federation Milkfed. The Progressive Dairy Farmers' Association (PDFA) Punjab, have demanded from Punjab Milkfed to further increase milk procurement rates citing 25-30% hike in input cost and amid brands like Amul, Mother Dairy raising milk rates. Dairy farmers are demanding milk procurement rate of Rs 600 per kg fat from Milkfed Punjab. Almost 30% of Milkfed’s total milk procurement constituting about three lakh litres per day is been supplied to Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (Milkfed Punjab) by dairy farmers. Milkfed Punjab, which sells milk and milk products under Verka brand, has raised milk procurement rates for farmers by Rs 20 per kg fat to Rs 540 per kg fat on May 1. However, Punjab Milkfed has not yet taken any decision on raising retail milk and milk products prices yet on account of raising milk procurement prices. Milkfed, which is the biggest player in the organized dairy market in Punjab, had already raised milk prices by Rs 4 per litre since December last. Milkfed is currently selling milk at Rs 44 per litre (full fat), Rs 40 (Standard), Rs 36 (toned) and Rs 32 (double toned).