Milk farmers fail to receive overdue payments

By Kokila Dhakal,Ilam, Nov. 14: Demanding payment for milk sold to the Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) over the past six months, milk farmers from Koshi Province submitted a memorandum to the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development on Wednesday. 

Farmers from all districts in Koshi sent their memorandums to the ministry through their respective Chief District Officers.

Despite government instructions for the DDC to pay farmers for milk supplied up to the end of June, farmers claim that the corporation has not made any payments since April end. The National Farmers' Group Federation (NFGF) reported that nearly Rs. 190 million is still owed to Koshi’s milk farmers. 

Ram Magar, the Ilam coordinator for the NFGF, handed over the memorandum to the Ilam District Administration Office. He said that the farmers have urged for the payment for two and a half months from May to mid-July within a week. 

"Many farmers in Ilam have been selling milk to the DDC, but due to delayed payments, their households are facing severe financial difficulties," he said. According to him, the DDC has even shut down three cooling centres in Ilam, further eroding farmers' trust.

According to the statistics of the DDC, Koshi Province produces approximately 575,504 tonnes of milk annually. The DDC collects 8,000 litres from Ilam, 5,000 litres from Jhapa, 6,000 litres from Dhankuta, 2,000 litres from Tehrathum, and 1,000 litres from nearby farmers, in addition to 15,000 litres from other dairies and private farms.

Kusum Dahal, Koshi in-charge of the National Farmers' Group Federation, said that 14,698 families in Koshi, who sell milk directly to the DDC, are heavily affected due to the nonpayment of their dues. 

"Families are struggling to afford daily meals, buy school supplies for children, and manage expenses, causing increased stress," Dahal said. "Although the Cabinet had directed the DDC to release the funds, the corporation has been defiant. If the payments are not made soon, farmers are prepared to launch protests."