Editorial : Fresh milk: Stop acting like buffaloes

17 January 2013 07:24 pm - 5 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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With the cost of living soaring beyond the reach of millions, the Government needs to urgently work out a national policy on food and nutrition with one of the main goals being to make people aware of how to get nutritious food at affordable prices.

To start at the beginning is a good place to start, and the Government needs to be commended for taking a major initiative to revive the local fresh milk industry by importing thousands of hybrid cows. The United Bhikkhu Front, however has accused Government leaders of behaving like buffaloes in this transaction. It charged that, like in most cases, some politicians and officials were making tens of millions rupees on this deal.

Till 1977 most Sri Lankans enjoyed fresh milk every day either at home or at hundreds of milk bars throughout the country, and the milk man was a familiar figure in the city and suburbs, while most villagers produced their own fresh milk. But gradually and in a subtle way trans-national companies and their agents here milked the fresh milk industry dry. Simultaneously they carried out powerful propaganda campaigns to popularise their imported powdered milk. They even used various methods to persuade dairy farmers to give up their business. The cows were bought wholesale for huge prices, and some of the dairy farmers were even offered well-paid jobs while the Government acted like a buffalo and allowed the fresh milk industry to be marginalised and undermined.

The TNCs and their agents also used sophisticated methods to draw young mothers away from the precious and priceless breast milk and turn to the easier way of bottle feeding after a few months of the birth of the child. When we hear that heart-stirring song about how the mother turns her own blood into milk to give the child a loving and solid foundation, we are heart-broken that this unique breast-feeding link between the mother and the child often lasts only for about two months instead of two years. Now we see milk and honey promotional campaigns with claims that are not only questionable but sometimes even dangerous. Unfortunately even film stars and cricket stars sell themselves for these promotional campaigns.

The Government’s newspaper and electronic media networks which have been used in recent years for the crudest and most blatant propaganda campaigns could play a positive and powerful role in the new mission to revive the fresh milk industry. They could educate the people on the wonderful nutritional value of fresh milk which could be obtained at a low cost. The farmers who get back to the dairy milk industry also need to be given various subsidies and facilities so that there will be sustainable growth in the fresh milk industry. A target of producing about 75% of our milk requirements locally by 2020 could be set and hopefully after that ours will be a land following with milk.

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Comments - 5

Raja Raju Friday, 18 January 2013 02:10 AM

Now the milk is available on the rich man's dining table only.

Mutu Friday, 18 January 2013 04:53 AM

To convert this land to a land flowing with milk is indeed a noble thought by the Editor. However with crooks in charge ..................?

sbd Friday, 18 January 2013 07:24 AM

What about the parliamentary buffalows who have made a mess of whole country.Pre-independent Sri Lanka was prosperous, law abide & free of vice, but what a mess now.Soon Sri Lanka will be flowing with blood & not milk dear Editor!

jaya Friday, 18 January 2013 10:03 AM

No hopes for this type of project because it is going to do the farming by government it self. If the government is so keen and genuine they can upgrade rural farmers who are already in the industry. Then the so called Divineguma program can play active role in this regard.

Mason Friday, 18 January 2013 01:05 PM

The type of politicians we have elected are never going to make this country flow with milk, NEVER EVER. They are busy selling freely got Car Permits, making millions.

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Editorial : Fresh milk: Stop acting like buffaloes

Comments - 5

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