Milk producers announce protests across Tamil Nadu on January 6 and 7

Tamil Nadu Milk Producers Association demands higher milk procurement prices, plans protests on January 6 and 7, 2025.

The Tamil Nadu Milk Producers Association (TNMPA) announced statewide protests on January 6 and 7, 2025 citing several demands, including an increase in milk procurement prices.

The state committee meeting of the TNMPA was held at Namakkal on Saturday, presided over by the association’s state president K. Mohammed Ali. In the meeting, the committee decided to stage protests with cattle outside Aavin cooperative societies to push for their demands.

Addressing reporters, Mr. Mohammed Ali highlighted the challenges faced by dairy farmers and sought disbursement of the incentive amount provided by the state government at the time of milk procurement along with the procurement price. He also demanded that the government release the incentive amounts for November and December.

“The milk procurement price has not been revised recently, despite the sharp increase in fodder prices. So procurement price should be increased by ₹10 per litre of milk, and should be set at ₹45 and ₹54 per litre for cow milk and buffalo milk respectively. Like increasing the procurement price of agricultural products every year, the state and union governments should announce the procurement price for milk,” Mr. Ali added.

While Tamil Nadu produces around two crore litres of milk each day, Aavin procures only 30 to 35 lakh litres, accounting for just 14%, while in other states, the procurement rate is around 50% in other states, Mr. Ali said, and called upon Aavin to take steps to increase procurement to up to 50 lakh litres per day and expand sales.

To further boost milk procurement, Mr. Ali suggested including Aavin milk in the Noon Meal Scheme, which could enable the procurement of an additional 10 lakh litres daily. He also urged the government to provide a 50% subsidy for cattle feed, vaccinate cattle through the veterinary department to prevent diseases caused by recent rains, and increase the solatium for deceased milk producers from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The TNMPA urged the state government to address these demands promptly, with protests set to be held on January 6 and 7 to highlight their grievances.

Association general secretary P. Perumal, treasurer A.M. Munusamy, and other functionaries were present at the meeting.