Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Co-operative Milk Producers Union Limited has revised the prices of milk and curds with effect from April 01, 2017 in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts following prevailing severe drought conditions in the two districts and rest of Karnataka state. All the sellers and dealers in Dakshina Kannada have asked by the union to sell the products below the maximum prices fixed. The new revised price list is likely to help the farmers in Karnataka amid severe water shortage and lack of proper fodder.

Consumers will have to spend Rs 2/liter for Nandini toned milk from April 1 as the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has hiked prices due to prevailing drought conditions in the state.

Accordingly, consumers in Bengaluru, Mandya, Kolar, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hassan and Shivamogga, toned milk would cost Rs 35/litre while half litre curds would cost Rs 21.

Sources have said that it would take time till packets with new rate were procured, till then the old packets would be used; KMF has asked consumers to cooperate.

In districts like Belagavi, Raichur, Ballari and Dakshina Kannada, milk price per litre would be 35 while in Dharwad, Haveri, Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura and Bagalkote the same would be Rs 36 and in Kalaburagi, Bidar and Yadgir it would be Rs 37.

KMF has justified the hike citing drought and in turn scarcity of fodder and water for cattle. KMF has also said that the prices of Nandini milk were low when compared to other brands even after the hike.

Meanwhile, it is said that the rise in milk prices will lead to an increase in prices of coffee and tea.