CHITWAN, JANUARY 31

Chitwan farmers have demanded an immediate increase in milk prices. They have also warned to strike if the milk unit price is not raised as soon as possible.

Organising a press conference in Chitwan on Sunday, Chitwan Milk Producers Cooperative Association Limited warned that they would mount pressure on the concerned authority to increase the unit price.

They have demanded for a Rs 15-20 increase in the milk price per liter.

The Association's Chair, Rudramani Neupane, stated that they are planning to launch a protest since the milk price has not been raised as pledged.

According to reports, the government was preparing to raise milk prices by Rs 10 per liter, providing Rs 7 to farmers and Rs 3 to the dairy industry. He said this scheme would not maintain unit cost of the farmers in producing milk. 'With hefty rise in the price of feeds and veterinary medicines, the unit production cost of a liter milk has reached Rs 63. Therefore, the unit price should be hiked in a way to maintain the production cost', he said.