Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Dairy Farmers Protest Over Milk Procurement Limits and Delayed Payments
Anger is growing among dairy farmers in Himachal Pradesh as hundreds gathered outside the Chakkar Milk Plant in Balh on Thursday to protest against recent decisions taken by the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation. Farmers say the new policies, including a daily milk procurement limit, plant holidays, and delayed payments, are hurting their income and putting their livelihoods at risk.
Anger is growing among dairy farmers in Himachal Pradesh as hundreds gathered outside the Chakkar Milk Plant in Balh on Thursday to protest against recent decisions taken by the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation. Farmers say the new policies, including a daily milk procurement limit, plant holidays, and delayed payments, are hurting their income and putting their livelihoods at risk.
Holding placards and raising slogans against the federation management and the state government, the protesters demanded the immediate rollback of the controversial measures. According to farmers, the decisions have created uncertainty in the dairy sector and are making it increasingly difficult for rural families to sustain themselves through milk production.
Farmers Oppose 20-Litre Milk Procurement Limit
One of the biggest concerns raised during the protest was the federation’s decision to cap milk procurement at 20 litres per producer per day. Farmers argued that the restriction is unrealistic for households that have invested heavily in dairy farming and produce much larger quantities of milk every day.
Milk Producers Society President Anil Jamwal said many farmers supply between 50 and 100 litres of milk daily. With the new limit in place, surplus milk often goes unsold, forcing producers to either dispose of it or sell it at significantly lower prices in local markets.
Displaying milk cans during the protest, Jamwal highlighted the financial losses being faced by dairy farmers and warned that the situation could worsen if the policy remains unchanged.
Plant Holidays Add to Farmers’ Worries
The protesters also expressed concern over the federation’s decision to observe four holidays every month. Farmers pointed out that milk production does not stop on holidays, as livestock continue to produce milk regardless of whether collection centres are operational.
As a result, many farmers are left with excess milk and no guaranteed buyer on days when the plant remains closed. They say this not only leads to wastage but also affects household income that depends on daily milk sales.
Women Farmers Voice Concerns
Women dairy farmers from Randhada, Bari, Kotli, Balh, and nearby villages actively participated in the demonstration. Many shared how dairy farming serves as the primary source of income for their families.
Farmers including Meena and Asha said they have spent years building their dairy businesses through investments in livestock, feed, and animal care. However, they fear that the latest policies could undermine their efforts and push many families into financial distress.
Delayed Payments Creating Financial Pressure
Apart from procurement restrictions, delayed payments emerged as another major issue during the protest. Farmers alleged that irregular payments from the federation have disrupted their ability to purchase cattle feed, medicines, and other essential supplies needed to maintain dairy operations.
Several farmers said they are struggling to manage day-to-day expenses as payment delays continue, adding further pressure to an already challenging situation.
Federation Assures Farmers Their Concerns Will Be Raised
Responding to the protest, Chakkar Milk Plant Engineer Vishwakant Sharma acknowledged that some of the concerns raised by farmers were genuine. He assured the protesters that their grievances would be forwarded to higher authorities for consideration.
However, the protesting farmers warned that if their demands are not addressed soon, they will intensify their agitation in the coming weeks.
Growing Concern for Himachal’s Dairy Sector
The protest highlights the growing challenges faced by dairy farmers in Himachal Pradesh, where thousands of rural households depend on milk production as a stable source of income. Farmers believe that supportive policies and timely payments are essential for the sustainability of the dairy sector and are urging authorities to take immediate corrective action before the crisis deepens further.
