Has Sabar Dairy Increased Milk Prices Amid Protests?

Sabarkantha, July 19 (NationPress) Following five days of significant protests, Sabar Dairy has updated its annual milk procurement price, now offering Rs 995 per kg of fat to cattle farmers, reflecting a Rs 5 increase from the previously announced Rs 990, according to officials on Friday.

This adjustment comes in response to escalating unrest among dairy farmers in the Sabarkantha and Aravalli districts of Gujarat, who have criticized the cooperative for inadequate milk payments and are demanding enhanced transparency in profit sharing.

The revised rate was sanctioned during a high-level board meeting at Sabar Dairy held earlier today, with attendance from the chairman, vice-chairman, and senior board members.

As per officials, the newly instituted Rs 995/kg fat rate will be processed in two stages: an initial payment of Rs 960 has been made, with an additional Rs 35 to be issued post the dairy's general meeting.

This announcement comes amid widespread disruptions, including milk supply boycotts, spontaneous protests at the village level, and confrontations with law enforcement.

Farmers from over 400 village societies, including Moti Isrol, Megharaj, and Amblia, have halted milk deliveries, spilled milk onto roads, and symbolically occupied the chairs of local dairy officials.

This protest led to a reduction of 15 lakh litres in daily milk collection, compelling the dairy to temporarily suspend powder production.

Tensions peaked earlier this week when a demonstration outside the Sabar Dairy premises escalated into violence.

Reports of stone-pelting and police lathi-charges emerged, resulting in injuries to several police personnel and damage to dairy property.

Authorities later confirmed that an FIR has been filed against 74 individuals, including former MLA and Sabar Dairy board member Jashubhai Patel, alongside charges against more than 1,000 unidentified protesters.

A total of 47 individuals were detained in the aftermath.

The protesting cattle farmers have articulated four primary demands: immediate dismissal of all cases against dairy farmers, a comprehensive investigation into the death of Ashokbhai during the protest, filing of a murder case, and appropriate legal actions against those responsible.

They are also seeking compensation of Rs 1 crore for the family of the deceased from both the state government and Sabar Dairy.

Sabar Dairy, recognized as one of Gujarat's largest milk cooperatives with an annual turnover of Rs 9,500 crore, sources milk from over 1,700 villages and is a vital component of the Amul/GCMMF network.