Livestock farmers lack price support mechanism, experts say MSP-like system needed

India's livestock farmers operate without the price protection mechanisms available to crop farmers, leaving them vulnerable to market volatility. Experts argue for a system comparable to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) that determines minimum support prices for crops.

Proposals include establishing a price floor for livestock products, implementing deficiency payment schemes for milk in surplus regions, and formally recognizing livestock price volatility as a policy gap. Such measures could help stabilize incomes for dairy and meat producers who currently lack institutional price support.