Goat milk sells for Rs 1,500/l, 30x higher, as dengue grips Firozabad

AGRA: A litre of goat milk costs Rs 50 a litre. But over the past month, prices in Firozabad, the epicentre of the dengue outbreak, have shot up 30 times to Rs 1,500 a litre. The reason — a fast-spreading misconception that goat milk increases platelet count.
“People have been approaching me for goat milk since the dengue outbreak began last month. I used to sell it for Rs 50 a litre.With an increase in demand, the price has gone up to Rs 1,500,” said a tea seller near Sadar Bazaar now selling goat milk, who didn’t want to be named. “The prices are steep because goat milk is not produced on a commercial scale in this area. I get goat milk from a dairy supplier.”
Buyers said they have been told by local medical practitioners that it could help. “An Ayurveda practitioner told me that goat milk can help fight dengue. When I asked my milkman, I was surprised to learn it costs Rs 1,500 a litre. It used to be just Rs 50. Even if we shell out the money, it is not available easily because of the demand,” said Arvind Sharma, a resident of Adarsh Nagar in Firozabad.
A farmer from Narkhi block, Rajesh Pratap Singh, said that’s because demand is usually limited. “Normally, goat milk is out of demand. People in rural areas buy some for personal consumption and sell to a few regular customers. After the outbreak of dengue in Firozabad, demand for goat milk has significantly increased. Milk suppliers from cities are buying goat milk at low prices from rural areas and selling it at high margins to patients. People professionally engaged in cattle rearing are also taking advantage of the situation.”
The basis for this surge in demand, however, is unfounded. “Cow and goat milk are almost equally nutritious,” said additional director, health, AK Singh. “There is no scientific proof to back the idea that goat milk can increase platelets in patients with dengue and other viral diseases. Such misconceptions are spread by quacks. People with dengue-like symptoms should consult qualified doctors and follow the prescribed course of medicines. Protection from mosquito bites will help.”
Also on the list of things quacks are prescribing are coconut water, kiwi and papaya leaves. “I am trying to arrange stocks,” said the tea seller from Sadar Bazaar.