Price of high fat milk and standardised milk has been hiked by Rs 3, while toned milk will cost Rs 2 more per litre.
MARCEL, FEB 17
Goa Dairy milk will be costlier by up to Rs 3 from February 21, with the Goa State Cooperative Milk Producers Union agreeing to the hike on Thursday.
Shortly after the board of directors meeting, Goa Dairy Chairman Madhav Sahakari informed reporters that the price hike was inevitable with a rise in milk prices in Maharashtra. “Milk prices in Maharashtra were increased by Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 since February 1. Despite this, we did not raise milk prices till now”, said Sahakari.
“However due to this hike since February, Goa Dairy suffered loss of around Rs 2 lakh daily. At the board of directors meeting, we finally decided to increase the milk price by Rs 3 for high fat milk and standardised milk, while toned milk will cost Rs 2 more per litre”, he added.
With this revised price, a litre of high fat milk and standard milk will now cost Rs 37 and Rs 33 respectively, while toned milk will cost Rs 26 a litre.
“We procure 50 per cent of milk from Maharashtra and Karnataka, and from this month, the price of milk was raised from Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 on buffalo and cow milk. Milk farmers will also get a Rs 2 hike on a litre and including the support price from Government, they will get around Rs 24 per litre”.
Since the last two years, milk prices have been hiked three times, following a similar price hike in neighbouring States.
Milk price was up by Rs 2 in September 2009 as well as in May and November 2010.
Sahakari admitted that the milk price had been precipitated by other factors.
“With the 6th pay implementation, there has been a 36 percent rise in salaries and even rising fuel prices added to the expenditure”, he said.
“Despite this, the economic condition of Goa Dairy is strong. We also spend Rs 50 lakh annually towards social obligations”, Sahakari said.
Sahakari also informed reporters that this year, local milk production had increased by over 5000 litres per day.
“Last year, local milk production was around 37,000 litres and it has now risen to 43,000 litres”, he said.
Sahakari admitted that the declining interest in dairy production was a matter for concern.
“Though we have around 18,000 members, only about 5,300 members are into dairy production. The rest have left this business”, Sahakari said.
“More serious-minded people need to join this business and there are various good schemes from the State Government. But I feel that the younger generation is not interested in this business”.
“There is no fast money and that could be the reason why very few people come forward towards dairy production. If Goa is to be self-sufficient, then dairy production has to rise”, he added.
