Rising Costs Push Dairy Farming Sector Into Crisis in Pakistan

Lahore: Pakistan’s dairy farming sector is facing a severe financial crisis as rising production costs continue to put immense pressure on farmers, according to the Dairy and Cattle Farmers Association Pakistan.

In a recent report, the association revealed that the cost of producing buffalo milk has exceeded Rs300 per liter. The total daily expense of maintaining a single buffalo has surged to around Rs2,406, including feed, fodder, and administrative costs.

Based on an average daily milk yield of 8 liters per animal, the per-liter production cost has been calculated at approximately Rs300.75. The report highlighted that continuous increases in animal feed, straw, and green fodder prices, along with rising expenses for electricity, fuel, water, labor, and veterinary care, have significantly escalated operational costs.

Despite these challenges, farmers are reportedly being forced to sell milk at lower, government-controlled prices, which the association says is undermining their financial stability.

The association has urged the government to set milk prices in line with actual production costs, abolish unrealistic price control policies, and introduce an immediate relief package for the livestock sector.

It also warned that if the situation persists, the country could face a shortage of milk, potentially leading to further price hikes for consumers.