Rising cattle feed prices and livestock expenses are squeezing dairy farmers, while producers in Shahapur launch an indefinite strike demanding better milk procurement rates.
Fresh milk prices in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, have climbed to nearly ₹100 per litre at local cattle sheds, increasing pressure on household budgets during the festive season. While stronger seasonal demand has contributed to market pressure, dairy farmers say the more serious concern is the rising cost of milk production and the inadequate returns they receive for their supplies.
According to a report by The Free Press Journal, local dairy owners and milk vendors have periodically increased retail prices by ₹2 to ₹4 per litre. The higher rates are affecting families already managing rising household expenses, as milk remains an essential part of everyday diets.
However, dairy producers argue that higher retail prices do not necessarily translate into improved farm income. Escalating feed, fodder, animal purchase and veterinary costs are placing growing financial pressure on farmers.
Cattle feed and fodder prices rise sharply
Anand Gadre, president of the Bhiwandi Taluka Milk Producers and Vendors Association, said the rising cost of maintaining cattle has become a major challenge for local dairy businesses.
According to Gadre, several cattle feed ingredients have become more expensive over a period of approximately 20 to 25 days. Oil cake, which previously cost ₹38–₹40 per kilogram, has reportedly crossed ₹50 per kilogram. Chuni, a cattle-feed by-product, has increased from ₹30–₹32 to around ₹40 per kilogram.
Dry fodder, known as bhusa, has risen from ₹950–₹960 to ₹1,370, while paddy straw has reportedly increased from ₹7–₹8 to ₹24 per kilogram. Grass prices have climbed from ₹22–₹23 to ₹30 per kilogram.
The report also highlights increases in chaff and feed mixtures, now costing more than ₹50 per kilogram compared with ₹38–₹40 previously. Chaff made from jawar and bajra stalks has risen from ₹15–₹16 to above ₹20 per kilogram.
These increases are significant for dairy farmers because feed and fodder are recurring expenses directly associated with maintaining milk-producing animals. When input costs rise faster than milk procurement prices, farmers can find it increasingly difficult to cover daily operating expenses.
Higher livestock and veterinary expenses add pressure
The cost of purchasing dairy animals has also increased, further raising the investment required to enter or sustain dairy farming.
Gadre said cows now cost more than ₹1 lakh, while buffaloes previously priced at approximately ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh are now reportedly selling for ₹2 lakh to ₹3 lakh.
In addition to purchasing animals, producers must pay for veterinary treatment, medicines, feed, housing and daily care. These expenses continue even when milk output fluctuates or an animal produces less milk than expected.
Dairy farmers therefore face financial risks on both sides of their businesses: increasing production costs and uncertainty over the quantity of milk their animals will supply. Producers say procurement prices need to reflect these realities to make dairy farming economically sustainable.
Shahapur dairy farmers launch indefinite strike
The financial strain has prompted milk producers in Shahapur taluka to begin an indefinite strike, suspending milk supplies to dairy operators.
Led by the Milk Producers Farmers Social Organisation, the protesting farmers have submitted a memorandum of demands to the tehsildar. They are seeking an immediate increase in milk procurement prices and intervention from the local administration to address disputes between producers and dairy operators.
Dairy farming provides an important livelihood for many rural households in the region. However, farmers say the combination of expensive cattle maintenance and insufficient procurement returns has made it increasingly difficult to sustain their operations, particularly for those who borrowed money to purchase milch animals.
The protesters have stated that supplies will remain suspended until their demand for fair and remunerative milk prices is addressed. They have described the agitation as peaceful and democratic.
Calls grow for support to dairy producers
Gadre also raised concerns about the limited support available to dairy farmers, pointing to the uncertainty involved in milk production. Animals may produce different quantities of milk from one milking session to another, but farmers must continue meeting their maintenance costs regardless of output.
The situation in Bhiwandi and Shahapur highlights a wider challenge for dairy supply chains: retail prices, farmgate procurement rates and production expenses do not always move in line with one another.
For consumers, milk prices approaching ₹100 per litre create additional pressure on household budgets. For producers, escalating feed and fodder costs threaten profitability and the long-term viability of dairy farming.
Addressing the situation will require attention to procurement pricing, input-cost pressures and communication between farmers, dairy operators and authorities. Without improved returns relative to production costs, dairy farmers warn that sustaining local milk supplies could become increasingly difficult.
