Sri Lanka to expand liquid milk production by 2030: Amaraweera

26 July 2023 09:19 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 7 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the government plans to increase liquid milk production by 50 percent by 2030.

While addressing the 19th session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Italy, he said the Ministry and the Animal Production and Health Department of Sri Lanka have launched many projects to overcome this challenge.

Therefore, it has been decided to implement two project proposals for the development of large-scale dairy farms with more than 500 cows in order to increase the production of liquid milk in Sri Lanka with the support of the Indian government, he said.

"India has taken measures to start a new technology as well as an exchange programme for dairy cows. At present, Sri Lanka's milk production is at a level of 35–40 percent. Our government's target is to produce 50 percent of the liquid milk production required by Sri Lanka by 2030.

"President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with his broad vision, has discussed with the Indian government on improving the dairy industry in this country.

"About 60 percent of the milk required by our country is obtained from imported milk powder. But in order to eliminate the malnutrition of the people of the country, the consumption of liquid milk should be increased. But it must be said that there has been no change in the liquid milk consumption in our country," the Minister said.

After the discussions, the Minister met Tanawat Tenzin, the Director General of the Animal Production and Health Department of Italy.

"I believe that Sri Lanka's dairy industry will be able to reach its goal by 2030, and the government aims to implement projects in public-private partnership (PPP) with dairy processing companies by introducing new techniques to attract young people to the dairy sector," the Minister said.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has requested the Italian government to provide financial and technical support for the development of the local dairy sector. It was also mentioned that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has also expressed its support. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

Comments - 7

Marcian Christopher Wednesday, 26 July 2023 09:53 AM

A few years back if I remember correct there was a good production of fresh milk and due to poor marketing problems there being no efficient off-take from the producers dairy farm owners poured the milk down the drains in upcountry areas and gave up dairy farming. All talk and no progressive steps from the relevant authorities to develop production and encourage the producers by regularizing collection and distribution and giving a fair price for their production.

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Mahanamap Wednesday, 26 July 2023 11:01 AM

Big talks only.

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Asanga Wednesday, 26 July 2023 01:39 PM

Joy rides for you till 2030?

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sss Wednesday, 26 July 2023 04:32 PM

Wow much earlier than 2048. It is also a fact that producers of all goods and services (such as milk and rice producers) are paid less than or barely above the cost of production while importers (most are relatives or fiends of politicians) are selling their imported goods with a very high markup

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Jonklaas Wednesday, 26 July 2023 05:20 PM

See the man in Italy with Tie Bye ?

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Thalamporuwa Thursday, 27 July 2023 07:35 AM

Guy always use to give hopes but by past experience we know, he never do or ability to do so,utterly useless appointee by tribal votes

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Kadol Hasthi Monday, 06 May 2024 05:36 AM

Politicians will always be politicians. They are never sure of being in the same position come tomorrow, but surely they will find a way to be in politics for ever. What we need is the Government Servants to be honest, dedicated and focused so that the country proceeds along specific paths to success. In 2012 when a particular Government-linked company tried to popularise Liquid Milk, the opposition said the government was trying to sell that company. The Project did not succeed to its potential. Our nation can never prosper unless we really unite beyond party politics and other divisions.

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