Current procurement prices ranging between ₹25-35 per litre for cow milk and buffalo milk have created severe financial hardship for dairy producers, who argue that these rates fail to cover even basic rearing expenses in an inflationary environment. Mahalingam, representing the milk producers association, emphasized that farmers who invested in dairy cattle through loan financing are struggling to meet repayment obligations due to inadequate returns, creating a debt crisis that threatens the sustainability of Tamil Nadu’s dairy sector and rural livelihoods dependent on milk production.

The farmers have strategically linked their demands to government policy priorities, pointing out that while the administration considers increasing liquor prices for revenue generation, it has failed to address the pricing crisis facing essential food production sectors. The protest leaders have called for immediate policy intervention to establish the new procurement rates beginning with the 2025-26 financial year, arguing that profitable milk pricing represents a fundamental requirement for maintaining food security and supporting rural economic stability across the state.

Political leverage has become a central component of the farmers’ strategy, with association leaders threatening to support political parties that promise ₹60 per litre for cow milk and ₹90 for buffalo milk in future elections. This electoral ultimatum reflects the depth of frustration among dairy producers who feel ignored by current policy makers, while demonstrating their willingness to use democratic processes to achieve economic justice for one of Tamil Nadu’s most critical agricultural sectors.