Nandini Cattle Feed Under Scrutiny After Farmers Raise Quality Concerns
Farmers near Bengaluru have raised serious concerns about Nandini cattle feed quality, reporting livestock health problems, lower milk yields and alleged cattle deaths, though causation remains unconfirmed.
Nandini cattle feed quality faces scrutiny.
Farmers report falling milk yields.
A detailed investigation is being sought.
Concerns have emerged over the quality of Nandini cattle feed produced at the Rajanukunte facility near Yelahanka in Bengaluru, with dairy farmers seeking answers over alleged problems affecting their livestock.
Farmers say several cattle became weak and developed health problems after consuming the feed supplied to them. Some have also reported a noticeable decline in milk production, while others claim their animals have faced reproductive and other health complications.
One of the most serious allegations is that more than 1,600 cattle have died over the past two months in areas where the feed was reportedly supplied. However, there is currently no official confirmation establishing that the cattle feed was directly responsible for these deaths.
The controversy has also widened to questions about the raw materials used at the Rajanukunte cattle feed facility. Farmers have alleged that inferior quality ingredients were procured for production. There are also claims that around 86,000 metric tonnes of feed may have failed to meet expected quality standards, with some farmers reportedly returning the products to the facility.
Molasses, including the material used in cattle feed production, has come under particular scrutiny. Farmers have raised questions about the procurement process and alleged that molasses with lower quality specifications was purchased.
The issue is causing concern across several dairy farming areas, including Bengaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Anekal, Nelamangala, Ramanagara and Channapatna. For families dependent on dairy farming, any fall in animal health or milk production can have a direct impact on household income.
There are further allegations that farmers within the BAMUL network are being encouraged or pressured to purchase Nandini cattle feed despite concerns about its quality. Farmers have also raised concerns about milk collection, claiming that some societies have rejected milk citing quality issues.
According to the claims circulating among farmers, BAMUL handles around 14,500 metric tonnes of cattle feed purchases each month. The scale of the supply makes the quality issue particularly important for dairy farmers who depend on consistent feed for their cattle.
With some farmers reportedly sending feed back to the production unit, calls are growing for a comprehensive examination of the entire process. Farmers want authorities to check the procurement of raw materials, laboratory testing, manufacturing standards and distribution records.
The allegations have not yet established that defective cattle feed caused the reported animal deaths. A proper investigation and scientific testing will therefore be crucial before drawing conclusions.
Farmers are now looking to KMF and the concerned authorities for a clear explanation on the quality of the feed and the steps being taken to address their concerns.
