1,000 dairy farmers rally over school milk

More than 1,000 dairy farmers rallied at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives yesterday to oppose a draft rule cutting school-milk quotas for the private sector, saying the move is unfair and threatens their livelihoods.

- POST REPORTERS

The proposed criteria would lower the private-sector allocation for the government-run programme to 30%, from the current 42%, while assigning 70% of distribution rights to cooperatives and state enterprises.

Farmers fear the change would disrupt the entire supply chain — from raw-milk producers and collection centres to dairy factories — potentially pushing many small farmers out of business.

Natee Dodsoongneon, president of the Progressive Dairy Association, said the new criteria appear to favour a particular group, while private processors and small-scale farmers face unfair constraints.