KMF MD Warns Milk Unions Over Delayed, Unfair Payments to Farmers
In a decisive move to uphold farmer welfare, the Managing Director of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), M.A. Somasekhar, has issued a stern warning to affiliated milk unions, stressing strict action if dairy farmers are not compensated fairly and on time. This comes amid rising concerns from dairy farmers over payment delays and discrepancies in procurement rates across several regions.
During a recent review meeting with union heads, Somasekhar emphasized that KMF’s credibility rests on its commitment to farmers and that any negligence in payments would attract serious consequences, including leadership changes in the concerned unions. He highlighted that while the government-backed price of ₹35 per litre must be adhered to, some unions were reportedly delaying payments or underpaying farmers, risking erosion of trust in the cooperative system.
KMF, Karnataka’s largest dairy cooperative, processes over 90 lakh litres of milk daily through 14 unions and is a crucial income source for over 26 lakh dairy farmers in the state. The Federation’s proactive stance seeks to reinforce transparency and farmer-centric policies amidst rising production costs and volatile market conditions.
The MD also advised unions to strictly follow procurement guidelines and digitalize payment systems to avoid irregularities, further strengthening accountability in the cooperative network.
Industry Insight:
This development signals a growing emphasis on fair farmgate pricing and governance accountability in India’s cooperative dairy sector — vital for sustaining farmer trust and sectoral stability in a highly price-sensitive, decentralized supply chain.
Source : Dairynews7x7 April 22nd 2025 The Hindu