Chitradurga, Nov. 3 -- Defending the Karnataka government's decision to increase milk prices by Rs 8 per litre, Congress leader and Special Representative of Karnataka in Delhi, T. B. Jayachandra, on Tuesday said the hike was necessary to protect farmers and their livelihoods amid drought conditions and a shortage of fodder and cattle feed.

Speaking to ANI at Hiriyur in Chitradurga district, Jayachandra said farmers were facing severe difficulties due to the drought and needed government support to sustain dairy farming.

"Milk is not manufactured in a factory; it comes from animals. Farmers are in deep distress. They are suffering immensely due to the drought. There is neither fodder nor feed available for the animals--that is the curre...