Ghee shortage: KMF accuses farmers of selling milk to private firms

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has accused farmers of selling milk to private companies, even as the federation claimed that it is facing an acute shortage of dairy products amid a surge in demand.

Sources said the shortage of milk affected businesses dependent on it, especially the hotel businesses. The demand for ghee has, meanwhile, gone up to 33 per cent this summer, a source said adding the product comprised 75 per cent share of the market.

The shortage of ghee was on account of farmers selling it to private companies. Provide decent fare A source at the Bangalore Milk Union Limited (BAMUL) said the move to sell milk to private companies had to do with the KMF’s inability to offer a decent price to farmers over the years.

Farmers were paid between Rs 18 to 20 per litre for cow milk and Rs 30 to 32 per litre for buffalo milk before COVID. However, that has now been changed. The source also said the number of litres procured has come down to close to 12 lakhs litre per day this year from15 lakh litre per day last year. October to March is the peak season when cattle produce more milk.

However, this time round with the temperature not peaking to an optimum level, the market condition has become dull. Besides a rise in demand for ghee, the sources also added, it is also likely that the demand for curd, ice cream and lassi may shoot up in the coming days.

While the shortage of dairy products hit the summer supplies, farmers and union members believe the present situation will ease down as some parts of the state are receiving rain which will in turn impact the temperature, helping production.