Hundreds of milk producers took out a protest march here on Wednesday, demanding an increase in the milk procurement price.

Under the banner of the Shivamogga Zilla Halu Utpadakara Hitarakshana Vedike, a forum representing dairy producers in the district, the farmers marched from Ameer Ahmed Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Along the way, they raised slogans urging the State government to increase the procurement price by ₹20 a litre and raise the support price from ₹5 to ₹10 a litre.

Leaders of the forum said the price of fodder, labour and other operational costs had gone up, making it difficult for dairy producers to sustain their operations. They said that, given the current cost of production, the government should fix the procurement price at ₹45 a litre and enhance the support price to ₹10 a litre.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner V. Abhishek. Forum president Lokesh G. and others led the protest.