भाषा:

On 9 October 2026, the Karnataka cabinet approved a Nandini milk price hike of up to ₹8 per litre, and ₹6 of every litre of that increase is meant for the dairy farmers who supply the milk. If the decision goes through, blue-packet toned milk sold by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) under the Nandini brand will cost ₹54 a litre instead of ₹46. The government is aiming for the new rates to start on 1 November. They cannot be announced yet, though: the Model Code of Conduct is in force for the coming Legislative Council elections, so the Election Commission of India has to clear the move first. The cabinet has left the final rollout to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Key facts

PointDetail
DecisionKarnataka cabinet, 9 October 2026
Retail increaseUp to ₹8 per litre on Nandini packet milk
Blue-packet toned milkFrom ₹46 to ₹54 per litre
Share for milk producers₹6 per litre
Share for district milk unions₹2 per litre
Target start date1 November, after Election Commission clearance
KMF procurement rate nowAbout ₹35 per litre (toned milk base rate)
Farmgate rates nearbyTamil Nadu ₹42.2, Kerala ₹41.8, Andhra Pradesh ₹41.5, Maharashtra ₹41
KMF network16 district unions, more than 9 million litres of raw milk a day
Earlier hikes since Nov 2022₹3 (late 2022), ₹3 (mid-2023), ₹2 (mid-2024), ₹4 (March 2025)

Why Nandini milk prices are going up

This would be the fifth time Nandini prices have been revised since November 2022. Two pressures sit behind it.

The first is the cost of running the dairy network. KMF’s district unions say electricity, diesel, veterinary supplies and packaging have all become dearer. The ₹2 per litre they keep from this hike is meant for cold-chain compliance, upkeep of packaging lines and working capital.

The second, and the bigger one for farmers, is the price paid at the village society. KMF’s base procurement rate for toned milk is around ₹35 a litre, while farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu get between ₹41 and ₹42.2. At the same time, drought in Karnataka has left many smallholders short of fodder and paying more for feed. A milk rate that lags neighbouring states while feed bills climb squeezes the margin on every litre.

Karnataka is not alone. Amul and Mother Dairy each raised retail milk prices by ₹2 per litre earlier in 2026.

What it means for dairy farmers

If the full ₹6 reaches the society rate, a farmer who pours 10 litres a day would earn about ₹60 more per day, or roughly ₹1,800 a month. On paper, a ₹35 base rate plus ₹6 would bring Karnataka close to the ₹41-42 paid in neighbouring states, though the actual payment on your slip will depend on your union’s rate chart, which is usually linked to fat and SNF.

There are three cautions. First, nothing changes until the hike is formally notified, and a delay is possible. Second, drought-driven fodder and feed costs may eat part of the gain, so the real benefit depends on how well you control feed spending. Third, a higher retail price can slow packet milk sales for a while, which in some seasons affects how much milk unions want to buy.

What farmers should do now

  • Wait for the official notice from your union or society before planning on the extra money.
  • Check your milk slip once the new rate starts: rate per litre, fat and SNF. Ask the society secretary if the ₹6 is not visible.
  • Push fat and SNF up, since payment follows quality. A balanced daana, daily mineral mixture and clean water help. See our dairy feeding and nutrition guide.
  • Put part of the extra income into fodder security for the dry months: buy dry fodder early, or make silage if you have green maize or sorghum.
  • Work out your cost per litre (feed, fodder, labour, vet) every month, so you know whether the hike really improves your margin.
  • Review low yielders. An animal that gives little milk still eats costly feed every day.
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FAQ

When will the new Nandini milk price start?

The target date is 1 November. It can start only after the Election Commission of India clears it, and the Chief Minister will decide the final rollout.

How much more will Karnataka dairy farmers get?

Of the hike of up to ₹8 per litre, ₹6 is set aside for milk producers. The remaining ₹2 goes to the district milk unions.

Why are Karnataka farmers paid less than farmers in nearby states?

KMF’s base rate is about ₹35 per litre, against ₹41 to ₹42.2 in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The ₹6 producer share would narrow that gap.

Source: eDairy News India, 09 Oct 2026. Written by the IMN Pyrophos team in our own words.

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