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Programme to popularise fresh milk consumption

by Rashomi Silva

The Agriculture and Livestock Ministry together with National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) and MILCO has initiated a programme to popularise fresh milk consumption among the people.

Agriculture and Livestock Minister S.B. Dissanayake told a press briefing yesterday that the Ministry has designed a series of programmes to encourage fresh milk consumption among public. "We hope to launch these programmes from mid April" he said.

The Minister said: "Annually, Sri Lanka spends Rs.10 Billion to import milk powder. The government had introduced these initiatives to reduce the foreign exchange flowing abroad for milk powder, which is low in nutrition and quality compared to farm fresh milk. It will also lend a helping hand to the dairy farmers and will help improve their living standards", Minister said.

As part of the project, the Ministry has designed a programme to collect milk from the dairy farmers and introduce a milk distribution programme for the consumers.

"We are hoping to employ Samurdhi recipients in these programmes, that will provide them a source of self-employment. We are also hoping to increase the number of collecting centres, proportionate to the production of milk in the area," the Minister said.

Meanwhile, the Minister said another series of programmes will be introduced shortly to increase the milk production from cows. In Sri Lanka, an average cow gives 10-8 litres of milk per day but in developed countries an average cow produces between 30 to 35 litres of milk. We are hoping to popularise hybrid cows here and to encourage farmers to use soya based animal food instead of coconut poonak.

"According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an ordinary person needs 2000ml of milk for a healthy life but in Sri Lanka the average milk consumption is around 80 ml per person. That is one of the reasons we have a high percentage of malnutrition among children as well as among adults", the Minister added.

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