The dairy  farmers of Rampur  Milk Producers’ Cooperative Society in the district on Tuesday poured thousands of litres of milk on the road protesting non-procurement of milk by the Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED).

More than 50,000 dairy farmers of the district registered under the OMFED to sell their milk are in dire straits as the federation stopped procuring milk suddenly on Tuesday from them.

“Dairy farming is the only source of our income. We are in a huge problem as the OMFED has suddenly stopped procuring milk and supplying fodder citing decrease in demand and sale of milk products. As milk is a perishable item, it cannot be stored for a long time,” said Sahadev Danta, a dairy farmer of Ainlapali in Rampur.

The State Government had assured that milk procurement would not be affected due to the lockdown, but to no avail. “We are also unable to sell milk in local markets as tea stalls and sweet shops have remained shut. We can throw the milk, but we need to keep the cattle alive. In some of the farms, the cattle are in critical condition and not able to get up. How will we feed the cows? The fodder was priced at Rs 1,000 per quintal before the lockdown and now it has gone up to Rs 1,300,” said Saroj Kalta, another dairy farmer.

Birendra Mati , another dairy farmer, said: “I was providing 50 kg of chhena to the sweet shops, mathas and temples of our area by collecting milks from the other milk farmers. But now I am unable to go outside my home due to the lockdown, and it is very difficult to provide even two square meals a day to my family members without income."

This apart, cattle feeds are now being black-marketed, alleged the farmers. Secretary of the society  said, “The Government had directed the federation to procure milk twice a day from the farmers. Accordingly, the OMFED collected milk from us for two days and stopped it abruptly.” They urged the Government to supply fodders at subsidised rate for survival of their cows.

Dairy farmers in the district have sought the Government ’s help for sale of their milk. They have requested to ensure availability and supply of cattle feed during the lockdown period as well.