Milk at Rs 50 a litre: Maharashtra farmers demand higher price from govt

State's farmers have been protesting for the past 8 days; loan waiver is a key demand

Maharashtra's farmers have urged the Devendra Fadnavis-led government to ensure realisation from milk at Rs 50 per litre, almost double the price they are currently paid by dairy companies and organised retailers.

Dairy companies have been paying farmers between Rs 21 and Rs 28 per litre depending upon the supply-demand equations.

Organised dairies, however, sell milk to consumers at Rs 40-50 per litre and unorganised players at Rs 60-70 per litre.

"Prices of animal feed keep rising frequently, which does not get reflected in the milk prices supplied to dairies. So, milk farmers should be paid at least Rs 50 a litre for