Low price & rising feed cost forcing farmers to quit dairy sector

Farmers to launch agitation demanding increase in procurement price; government to launch new initiative to address decline in livestock farming in state

- MANOJ VISWANATHAN @ Kochi

WITH the dairy development department burning the midnight oil trying to figure out reasons for the steep decline in livestock farming in Kerala, farmers are planning to launch an agitation demanding raising the procurement price of milk to ₹70 per litre.

On May 16, farmers from across the state will converge on the office of the dairy development director in Thiruvananthapuram to hold a dharna.

Meanwhile, the office of Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J Chinchurani said the government is planning to launch a new initiative to promote livestock farming.

"We have selected 50 focus blocks that lead the way in milk production. The government will help farmers avail loans at low interest rates. Talks have been held with Kerala Bank in this regard. Farmers will get an interest relief of up to ₹3 lakh per year. Our minister held discussions with her Punjab counterpart during his recent visit to Kerala on purchasing high yield cow breeds from the northern state," the official said. "The government has set up a panel to study the decline in dairy farming. One of the reasons for the decline in livestock numbers is the reluctance of the younger generation to enter the sector. The death rate of cows due to disease is another factor," he said.