Govt to increase import duty on whey milk

New Delhi: Seeing the ongoing dairy protest in Maharashtra and increasing the domestic demand by farmers in Karnataka, Bihar and Rajasthan, Department of Agriculture and Farmers welfare has taken steps to increase the import duty on whey milk from 30 to 40 percent and fulfill the domestic demand and ordered the states to distribute the milk products through Mid Day Meal and Aanganwadi.

States like Karnataka, Bihar, and Rajasthan have started to supply milk and milk products to schools via Anganwadis or Mid Day Meal. It is under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) has come with the purpose to spur domestic demand.  Government asked to Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to raise the stimulus the food milk-based products like cheese or yogurt, milk, and casein from 10%  to 20%.

“Considering the present scenario, the (Agriculture) Department has again requested to increase the export incentive for milk and milk products and casein from 10 percent to 20 percent for the benefit of farmers,” Ministry stated. In addition, it said that several steps have already been taken to help farmers overcome the ongoing milk crisis in Maharashtra.