Relief from milk prices likely after monsoon: Parshottam Rupala
NEW DELHI : Milk prices in India have surged 22% in three years, including 10% in the past year. According to Parshottam Rupala, Union minister for fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying, prices of green fodder are declining, and milk prices are expected to stabilize after monsoon as fodder turns plentiful. In an interview, Rupala said while extreme weather conditions can damage crops, there is currently no alarming feed shortage, and in the unlikely situation of a shortage, states have reserves to fill the supply gap.
To improve milk productivity, Rupala said the government is working on climate-resilient breeds that can weather extreme conditions. Edited excerpts: The department of animal husbandry and dairying does not regulate the 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.
Milk is a perishable item and difficult to store for a long period. Price fluctuation in perishable items is common. After the cooperative incorporation, we have been successful in stabilizing prices.
Because of the Amul model, 75% of what consumers pay goes directly to the producers’ or growers’ pockets. We are now looking at how to help farmers to get their production costs covered. The Wholesale Price Index of fodder is on a decreasing trend; it was 248 in January, 237 in April, and 222.70 in June due to an improvement in green fodder availability with the ensuing monsoon season.
In view of this, I expect milk prices stabilizing after the monsoon season. After the monsoon season and the beginning of the winter season, we see a peak in milk production, and thus, flow gets settled. As far as mitigation of climate change
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