Soaring prices

The recent surge in the price of fresh milk has created resentment among people who blame dairy farmers for deliberately increasing the prices to pocket hefty profits. However, there are some unavoidable factors that are forcing dairy farmers to raise the price of milk. Daunting challenges like poor infrastructure, financial constraints, quality assurance, price regulations and seasonality are contributing to the steep prices of milk. Apart from this, the monopoly of multinational, middle men and transportation are adversely impacting the produce and accessibility of milk.

In order to tackle such an alarming situation, we must enhance access to credit, upgrade milk marketing chains by adopting modern technology and ensure veterinary services for animals’ health. The higher authorities should chalk out a plan that deal with problems of both dairy farmers and consumers, and come up with a win-win situation.

Muhammad Ghazain Hussain

Karachi