Image used for representation
| Photo Credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) announced an increase in procurement price of milk in the State from ₹38 to ₹41 per litre.
Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, he said the procurement price offered by primary milk cooperative societies would be increased by ₹1 and the government incentive would be increased from ₹3 to ₹5.
“The greatness of our tradition lies in worshipping cows as Gods, as they produce milk not just for their calves but also for humans and other living beings. The scientific world has proved that a cow has to purify 500 litres of its blood to produce one litre of milk, making us admire the contribution of the animal,” he said.
The Chief Minister said there were 8,800 milk cooperative societies in Tamil Nadu, which procured 34 lakh litres of milk from 3.16 lakh milk producers, while 31 lakh litres of milk were sold through Aavin. The present procurement rate for one litre of milk with 4.3% fat and 8.2% other nutrients was ₹35, while the State government provided an incentive of ₹3, taking the total procurement price to ₹38.
Wondering why previous governments had not taken into consideration the work of milk producers, who got up early in the morning to clean the cows, produce milk, and spend money on fodder, he said the TVK government had decided to increase the price despite facing a financial crisis, in the interest of the welfare and livelihood of milk producers.
He said the cooperative societies would increase the procurement price by ₹1, while the government incentive would be increased from ₹3 to ₹5, taking the total procurement price to ₹41. The move would cost the government ₹30 crore a month and ₹360 crore a year.
Published – August 19, 2026 11:49 am IST
