Milk procurement rises 5.6% YoY in June, says minister Rupala

livemint.com:

Retail milk prices that have shot up nearly 22% in three years, including about 10% in the last one year, are expected to increase further in the coming three-four months as feed and fodder prices are on the rise amid the monsoon deluge. The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying does not regulate procurement and sale prices of milk in the country.

Prices are decided by the cooperative and private dairies based on their cost of production and market forces. The Wholesale Price Index of fodder, however, has been on a decline, with the reading at 248 in January, 237.4 in April, and at 222.70 in June.  With the start of the monsoon season, green fodder availability has improved, the minister said.

Though the department does not maintain any stock of milk commodities, it periodically reviews the milk situation in the country. Based on inputs received from major dairy cooperatives, the stock of skimmed milk powder has increased to 130,000 tonne from 116,002 tonne during May-June this year.

The Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI- ICAR) has prepared Fodder Development Plan for 25 states to enhance fodder availability in the states based on their cropping pattern and livestock species. The ministry is implementing several dairy development schemes to help improve milk production and to meet the increasing demand of milk and milk products in the country, including National Programme for Dairy Development, Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund, and National Livestock Mission.

These schemes provide for assistance in terms of input services, disease control, breed improvement etc. apart from creation of dairy infrastructure to support milk market access, remunerative price amongst others, across