The governing body of Milma's Ernakulam Regional Co-operative Milk Producers' Union (ERCMPU) has demanded an immediate increase in milk prices [1, 2].
The request highlights the financial strain on dairy farmers who face escalating operational expenses. If the cooperative does not adjust prices, producers may struggle to maintain viable operations in the Ernakulam region [1, 2].
On Saturday, governing body members submitted a formal letter to Milma chairman K S Mani [1, 2]. The union said that the current pricing structure no longer reflects the reality of the market, specifically regarding the costs required to produce milk [1, 2, 3].
According to the union, a steep rise in production costs has driven the demand for a price hike [1, 2]. The members said soaring feed costs are a primary driver of the current financial crisis [1, 2, 3].
Milma operates as a cooperative system designed to protect the interests of milk producers. However, the ERCMPU maintains that the current rates are insufficient to cover the rising overheads associated with livestock maintenance, and feed procurement [1, 2, 3].
The union's appeal to Chairman Mani emphasizes the urgency of the situation to prevent further economic losses for the regional farmers [1, 2]. The governing body said the cost adjustment is necessary to ensure the sustainability of milk production in Kerala [1, 2, 3].
“The governing body of Milma's Ernakulam Regional Co-operative Milk Producers' Union (ERCMPU) has demanded an immediate increase in milk prices.”
This demand reflects a growing tension between fixed consumer pricing and the volatile cost of agricultural inputs. Because dairy cooperatives like Milma act as a buffer for farmers, a failure to raise procurement prices could lead to a decrease in local milk production or a shift toward less sustainable farming practices in the Kerala region.
