Himatnagar: On the fifth day of protests by dairy farmers from Sabarkantha and Aravalli districts against Sabar Dairy, the cooperative has announced a significant hike in the annual bonus payment. Sabar Dairy’s board has decided to pay ₹995 per kg fat as annual bonus, up from the earlier advance payment of ₹960. The remaining ₹35 difference will be paid after the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM).

Following the board meeting, Idar MLA Ramanlal Vora said that three key demands raised by the protesting dairy farmers have been accepted. Firstly, the hike in milk price to ₹995 per kg fat will be implemented immediately after the AGM. Secondly, the board has assured that efforts will be made to withdraw police cases filed against innocent farmers during the agitation. Lastly, regarding the tragic death of a youth from Jijva village in Idar, the board has promised to ensure fair compensation to the bereaved family.

Vora appealed to farmers in Sabarkantha and Aravalli to maintain peace and resume milk supply so that neither the dairy nor the farmers suffer losses and the reputation of Sabar Dairy remains intact.

Meanwhile, the protests earlier took a dramatic turn on National Highway 48 near Jawanpura village, where agitators opened the valves of two milk tankers, spilling milk onto the road. Protesters had vowed to continue the agitation until all their demands were fully met, but now with the dairy announcing the hike, things are likely to come back on track.

In another incident, a milk tanker travelling from Meghraj towards Modasa was stopped by farmers at Muloj Chokdi near Shinavad and emptied onto the road. Similarly, on the Modasa–Shamlaji highway near Umedpur village, milk tankers were intercepted and drained, creating literal rivers of milk along the highway.

Amid this wastage as a form of protest, dairy farmers from Hapa village set a positive example by using 200 litres of surplus milk to prepare sweetened milk (doodhpak). This nutritious dish was served to around 800 children at the local anganwadi, primary and secondary schools, ensuring the milk was used beneficially rather than wasted. DeshGujarat