Bengaluru,26 Sept (H.S.): Milk unions in Karnataka are seeking a price increase of at least ₹10 a litre, citing rising production costs and pressure on dairy farmers. Their representatives are expected to meet Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday to present the demand.

If the government approves an increase, consumers could pay more for milk sold under the Nandini brand. Prices of Nandini curd, butter and ghee could also rise, though no decision has yet been announced.

Speaking after the Karnataka Milk Federation’s annual general meeting, Bengaluru Milk Union Limited president D.K. Suresh said the dairy sector was facing severe financial strain. Farmers had asked for an increase of at least ₹10 a litre, he said.

Suresh said cattle feed and other inputs had become more expensive over the past six to seven months. Higher fuel, packaging and transport costs had added to the burden on milk unions. A proposal covering farmers’ concerns, production costs and the unions’ administrative expenses would be submitted to the government, he said.

Federation officials also pointed to increases in the cost of plastic sachets used to pack milk and the charges for transporting it. They said a formal proposal would be placed before the chief minister.

Representatives of milk producers raised the issue with the government last week. They said drought had reduced the availability of fodder, while the prices of maize and paddy used in cattle feed had risen by about 25 per cent. According to the representatives, farmers cannot absorb these costs indefinitely without a better return for their milk.

The chief minister has indicated that the unions’ request will be considered. The government is expected to take a final decision after Saturday’s meeting, including whether to approve a hike and, if so, how much of it would be passed on to consumers. Until then, the proposed ₹10 increase remains a demand from producers, not a new retail price.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman