Amul Dairy, a cooperative based in Anand, Gujarat, has announced a significant increase in the milk procurement price it pays to farmers. Starting June 1, the dairy will pay Rs 10 more per kilogram of fat, raising the price from Rs 855 to Rs 865. This increase will directly benefit over 7 lakh milk producers who are members of the dairy cooperative in the districts of Anand, Kheda, and Mahisagar in central Gujarat. According to Amul Dairy chairman Vipul Patel, this is the highest milk procurement price in Gujarat.
In a unique move, the dairy cooperative has also decided to reduce the price of cattle feed. A 70-kg bag of cattle feed will now cost Rs 1,505, down from Rs 1,540, while a 50-kg bag will cost Rs 1,050, reduced from Rs 1,075. This reduction of 50 paisa per kilo is expected to provide relief to dairy farmers. Patel noted that this is the first time in the history of the milk union that cattle feed prices are being reduced while the milk procurement price is being increased.
The increase in milk procurement price and reduction in cattle feed price are expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of dairy farmers in the region. Amul Dairy has a history of paying competitive prices to its members, with the final price for the 2024-25 financial year being Rs 1,028 per kilo of fat, the highest in the union’s history. The cooperative’s efforts to support dairy farmers are likely to boost their income and encourage them to continue producing high-quality milk. Overall, the move is seen as a significant step towards improving the welfare of dairy farmers and promoting the growth of the dairy industry in Gujarat.