A Fair Price for Hard Work: Dairy Farmers Thrive with New Milk Rates
For dairy farmers in the remote, hilly villages of Himachal Pradesh, a recent government decision is more than just policy—it’s a lifeline. The increased support price for milk is bringing tangible hope and financial stability to families who have long depended on their cattle.
The move, aimed directly at boosting the income of rural farmers, has set the price of cow’s milk at ₹51 per litre and buffalo milk at ₹61 per litre. In Sirmaur district alone, over 1,500 farmers supplying milk to 37 local cooperative societies are feeling the direct, positive impact.
Voices from the Ground: Renewed Hope and Prosperity
The real story is told by the farmers themselves.
Shyam Datt Gautam, a farmer from Pashog village, tends to three Jersey cows. “The last few years have seen a wonderful change,” he shares with a smile. “With prices up by ₹20-25 a litre, the profit is real. It’s not just me—everyone is feeling more confident. People who were giving up on dairy are now coming back, even raising more cattle at home.”
For Bhupendra Thakur, the benefit is also one of dignity and ease. “Before, selling milk was a struggle—going from market to market, wasting time and often not getting a fair deal,” he recalls. “Now, I simply take my milk to our local cooperative society. It’s secure, it’s fair, and it’s transformed our daily life.”
The increase has also reversed a worrying trend. Dharm Singh Pundir from Chanena village witnessed a steep decline in local milk production. “People’s interest was fading,” he notes. “But as soon as the prices went up, everything changed. Our society’s supply jumped from barely 10-13 litres a day to 400-500 litres! This decision has truly revived our community’s spirit.”
More Than a Number: Building a Sustainable Future
Praveen Thakur, a secretary at a cooperative for two decades, sees the broader picture. “This isn’t just about a few extra rupees,” he explains. “It’s about recognizing the value of the farmer’s toil. When quality is rewarded with prices up to ₹52 or ₹62 per litre, it inspires everyone to do better. The enthusiasm is back, and with it, the milk supply.”
The consensus among the farmers is clear: this policy is a cornerstone of support. They credit the state government, and specifically Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, for listening and taking this “historic step.” It’s seen not as a subsidy, but as a just valuation of their product, strengthening the very backbone of the rural economy—one litre of milk, and one farming family, at a time.
