Dairy farmers in Sri Lanka to get 20,000 milch cows-Sri Lanka is aiming to become self-sufficient in liquid milk by the year 2016.
Posted on October 20th, 2014

SOURCE: PRIU

Colombo: Sri Lanka and Australia signed an agreement on October 16 to import 20,000 milch cows for uplifting small and medium scale dairy farmers under a programme to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in liquid milk by the year 2016.

Importing Australian milch cows of superior breeds to uplift dairy farmers and improve the livestock industry began two years ago in accordance with President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Mahinda Chintana Vision.

Under the programme, 2000 milch cows were imported in 2012. Through artificial insemination these cows gave birth to 1500 calves which were distributed among dairy farmers in the Dry Zone. Its tremendous success led to the decision to import further 20,000 cows.

Economic Development Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayatilleke and Australian Wellard Exports Director Scott Braithwaita signed the agreement. Present at the occasion were Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Australian High Commissioner Robyn Mudie, Economic Development Ministry’s Additional Secretary Priyantha Mayadunne and Australian Representatives Karin Kobelentz, Colin Webb and Johann Wasserman.

Sri Lanka currently produces only 42 percent of its milk requirements. The country has to spend annually 300 million US dollars to import the balance 58 percent. Since this Government came to power in 2005 the production of liquid milk has increased by128 million litres up to 2013. It is a 56 percent increase.

At present, the registered number of dairy farmers in Sri Lanka is 238,321 while the number of small scale unregistered farmers is nearly 100,000. Livestock experts believe that if 30,000 milch cows can be milked the country will become self-sufficient in liquid milk.

According to Sri Lanka’s animal and health product reports the country’s daily milk consumption per person is 134 milliliters.

Importing milch cows of superior breeds, building cattle sheds, expansion of grass lands, giving special credit facilities to dairy farmers and promoting milk production are being done under the Divi Neguma National Programme.

 

3 Responses to “Dairy farmers in Sri Lanka to get 20,000 milch cows-Sri Lanka is aiming to become self-sufficient in liquid milk by the year 2016.”

  1. Dilrook Says:

    Why was it delayed until the election? It is a shame reconciliation pushed Mahinda Chinthana to the backburner until now.

    Hopefully voters, not reconciliation beneficiaries will benefit from this. Otherwise it will be another debt burden on the nation without any return. Stopping Maharaja owned Fonterra importing contaminated milk is another good decision. 2016 may be too ambitious but at this rate self sufficiency in milk can be achieved a few years later. Welfare of these imported cows should be ensured. However, no restriction should be placed on farmers on how they dispose of them after their useful life. Farmers should be free to cash in at the end of their useful life. Otherwise it will be an unbearable economic burden on farmers forcing them to abandon the industry.

  2. Nanda Says:

    Better late than never. Let us take those even among Chanda Gundu.

  3. Susantha Wijesinghe Says:

    THERE ARE THREE ADDITIONAL IMPORTS, INCORPORATED ALONG WITH THESE 20,000 COWS.

    They are (a) MILK, (b) CATTLE DUNG FERTILISER, (c) LIQUID UREA.

    I do hope that all Dairy Farms in Sri Lanka, have the right infra-structure set up to collect Cattle Urine for those engaged in Agriculture. I am not sure they all do.

    Please Google;-‘ Dairy Farming System ( medium scale) in up country Sri Lanka.’ This is about a hard working couple in a small area of land, having 32 Cows. They have a tank below ground level to collect Cow Urine. Very inspiring Youtube clip.

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