Jammu May 16, 2016: A delegation of the Milk Producers and Dodi Gujjar Association called on Director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Jammu, Rajesh Kumar Shavan to discuss various issues concerning milk producers and dairy farmers.
During the meeting, the President of the Dodi Gujjar Association, along with other members and milk producers, urged the Director to revise and refix the sale rates of milk and milk products, stating that the rates have remained unchanged since 2022 despite a substantial rise in production costs.
The representatives highlighted that dairy farmers are facing exploitation and unfair trade practices by middlemen and cooperative sectors. They said the continuous increase in prices of cattle feed, fodder, veterinary medicines, transportation, electricity and labour has severely impacted the dairy sector.
The delegation further informed the Director that milk producers are struggling due to shortage of grazing land, high livestock maintenance costs, irregular market regulation, low profit margins and inadequate support for small dairy farmers. They alleged that while producers are facing financial hardships, some middlemen and cooperative sectors are earning disproportionately from the trade.
Expressing concern over the prevailing rates, the association members stated that the existing pricing structure is no longer economically viable for sustaining dairy farming activities and sought immediate intervention from the Department to ensure fair pricing and protection of the interests of milk producers.
The Director gave a patient hearing to the issues raised by the delegation and assured them that the matter would be examined sympathetically in accordance with established norms and procedures. He further stated that the concerns of dairy farmers and milk producers would be taken up with the competent authorities for appropriate consideration.
The delegation was led by Youth Gujjar Leader Jameel Choudhary and included representatives Badar Ali, Alam Hussain, Farooq Hussain and Mohd. Kala among others.
