THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dairy development department’s assurance not to increase cattle feed price has not been fulfilled. Government companies Milma and Kerala Feeds hiked cattle feed prices by Rs 150 to Rs 200 per 50 kg bag. The hike is effective from yesterday. With this, the price was increased by Rs 3 to 4 per kg. Following this, private companies also decided to increase the price fodder.

Last May, it was decided not to increase the price in a meeting attended by the representatives of Milma and Kerala Feeds and the chiefs of the Department of Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry. The minister also announced this. The minister had announced an incentive of Rs 4 per litre to dairy farmers, which will be given through the direct benefit transfer system. It was a relief to dairy farmers. But the sudden increase in cattle feed prices will make things difficult for them.

The farmer gets an average of Rs 36.36 per litre for the milk distributed to the dairy societies. In Thiruvananthapuram Union, Milma gives Rs 3 as incentive. With the increase in cattle feed prices, this financial assistance won’t benefit the farmers. Officials say that the companies have been running at a loss for eight months due to the skyrocketing price of raw materials. In that case, the farmers are asking how it was announced five months ago that the fodder price hike will not be implemented for one year.

As the price of cattle feed has increased, it has been confirmed that milk prices will also be hiked.

Cattle feed price hike (per 50 kg bag)

Item, old price, new price

Milma Rich -1240 -1400

Milma Gold -1370 -1550

Kerala Feeds (Midukki) -1245 -1395

Kerala Feeds (Elite)- 1315 -1495