Women make up 58.5% of KMF’s milk suppliers; benefit from price hike

Bamul president D.K. Suresh says, “Women are able to decide for their families and support their children’s education. Many of them, who are supported by the KMF, have said the money has helped them with loan repayments, health treatments and household expenses.”

Women account for around 58.5% of the farmers supplying milk to the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) daily. According to KMF data, of the 10 lakh active milk suppliers, around 5.85 lakh are women.

Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd. (Bamul) president D.K. Suresh told The Hindu in an exclusive interview that the recent hike in the price of milk, curd and other milk products has benefited farmers, particularly women who supply milk to the KMF across the State. “It has ensured a steady income for them even during droughts and periods of agricultural uncertainty, thereby strengthening their economic and social standing,” he said.

He added, “They are able to decide for their families and support their children’s education. Many women farmers who are supported by the KMF have said the money has helped them with loan repayments, health treatments and household expenses. The majority of women farmers have two or three cows that provide them with milk, while only 1% to 2% have many cows. However, the KMF treats all farmers equally, even if the person supplies 200 litres or 1000 litres of milk on a daily basis.”

Meanwhile, a senior official from the KMF said, “There are more than 4,000 Women Dairy Cooperative Societies in 16 districts that are run by women without any assistance from men. These societies have given rural women roles of ownership, leadership and financial autonomy.”

Veena G.P., one such woman dairy farmer from Maregowdanadoddi village near Byramangala in Bengaluru, said, “I have five cows, of which one is pregnant, and four cows provide 20 litres of milk in the morning and evening. I have been in this business with the KMF for more than two decades. If I incur ₹15 in expenses for one litre of milk, I earn ₹25 in return. The recent price hike has helped me a lot, as I earn ₹42 per litre instead of ₹35. But the government should work on increasing the ₹5 assistance for every litre provided to dairy farmers, as the price has remained the same for more than a decade.”

Another farmer, Sumitra D. from Bidadi, said, “The milk price hike is a good decision; however, prices of the cattle feed that we buy from the market and mills have to be stabilised. Another way to support farmers is for the government to purchase the cattle feed from the mills and sell it to farmers at a subsidised rate. Currently, various forms of cattle feed start at ₹2,500 and go up to ₹3,750 for 25 kg to 30 kg bags.”