Farmers flay import of milk powder; stage dharna
The feud between Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation and the National Dairy Development Board surfaced once again on Monday when at least 3,000 farmers agitated against the NDDB’s decision to import 6,500 tons of skimmed milk powder.

The agitation was held under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh. The farmers held dharna before the NDDB’s premises in Anand where the Anand police detained at least 60 farmers.

The entire issue of milk powder import came into focus after Delhi faced acute shortage of milk last month. The NDDB officials informed that the decision of importing milk powder was proposed as there had been shortage of milk in 11 states of India and most of them were north Indian states.

The NDDB spokesperson M.K. Ganguly said that several dairies had approached NDDB to import milk powder, as there was drought like situation in the country for last three years. "NDDB had gone ahead with the proposed decision on behalf of actual users. The prices of milk powder peaked from Rs 35 to Rs 100 in many states and 11 state federations of milk cooperatives approached us. When there is shortage the commodity has to be imported."

However, GCMMF officials said the move to import milk powder was disappointing as India has been a major producer of milk. The general manager R.S. Sodhi of the GCMMF claimed that the shortage of milk corresponded with the export of milk powder. "The farmers were exported about 25,000 tons of milk powder in the last three years as they were getting higher prices," said Mr Sodhi.

Reacting to the ongoing milk crisis and its solutions, Mr Sodhi said, "The NDDB had approached us in September seeking the skimmed milk powder. However, on acknowledging their demand, they wanted 5000 tons of milk powder and that too all at once which was not possible. Yet, the import decision is unfortunate one as India itself is a major producer of milk and good rains will ensure better milk procurement in the lush season soon."

However, NDDB officials maintained that the imports would be short-term phenomenon and no hue and cry should be made in that regard. The officials also referred to the dharnas of the BKS as politically motivated.

The BKS president Magan Patel in a statement said, "Past experience says that the farmers have always suffered due to imports as prices goes down in the markets after artificially added supply. The decision of importing milk powder is outcome of continuing rivalry between NDDB chief Amrita Patel and GCMMF chief Dr Kurien."

Mr Patel added "Despite the Prime Minister showing his disapproval to NDDB’s proposed decision, it had gone ahead in importing skimmed milk powder due to its ongoing feud with GCMMF. The NDDB had gone ahead even after the Prime Minister had expressed his dissatisfaction. Ms Amrita and Dr Kurien are the agents of the World Trade Organisation and are hampering the interests of farmers."

State president of BKS Prafful Sejalia in a statement demanded that central government should intervene to stop the import of milk powder when the country is the largest producer of milk. The BKS has also requested the labourers at all the ports of the state not to unload the milk powder and transporters not to transport them, he added.

Republished from The Asian Age