Tamil Nadu Farmers Association staged a demonstration here on Monday asking the State government to increase the milk procurement price without any delay.
The cost of feed and other inputs had increased manifolds in the recent past, which had reduced the income for the milk producers.
The current price offered by the government was not remunerative, they said and wanted the government to increase the price of cow milk to Rs. 25 a litre and buffalo milk to Rs. 30 a litre.
The association asked the government to take steps to provide loan with subsidy for purchasing milch animals. The prices of milch animals had increased several folds. As a result, farmers with small landholdings were not able to purchase milch animals.
The State government should initiate immediate steps to ensure adequate supply of cattle feed to all milk producers co-operative societies. Farmers were forced to buy cattle feed from private players at higher rates due to inadequate supply from the Aavin.
The association condemned the State government for not conducting elections for the co-operative institutions, which play an important role in the development of rural areas.
Regularise
The association asked the government to regularise the services of employees working in primary milk cooperative societies in the State. These employees were working in these societies for a long period with a meagre salary.
Besides regularising, the government should provide all the employee benefits to workers.