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| Saturday, 11 October 2003 |
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World Bank funds livestock development by Uditha Kumarasinghe The World Bank has pledged funds to develop animal husbandry through the Samurdhi movement under a special project implemented by the Bank to uplift the rural economy, Agriculture, Livestock and Samurdhi Minister S. B. Dissanayake said. The Minister made these remarks at a ceremony at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute on Wednesday to mark the silver jubilee of the Department of Animal Production and Health. He said during the past three decades, no attention was paid to the livestock sector. Late Minister Thondaman strove to develop the livestock sector. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is keen to develop the livestock sector. The Government's intention is to achieve self-sufficiency in milk production within the next 10 years. The Ministry will also seek Indian assistance to develop the livestock sector. Earlier agriculture and livestock were handled separately. The UNF Government vested livestock under the Agriculture Ministry. The Asian Development Bank has also helped the Government to develop the livestock sector. There are 240 unemployed veterinary surgeons. The Ministry will give an opportunity for these surgeons to work for Agrarian Services Centres. Initially, 100 veterinary surgeons will be attached to Agrarian Service Centres. Each surgeon will get Rs. 500,000 to purchase equipment and other facilities to provide an efficient service to the public. "The Ministry will make every possible attempt to increase the price paid for a litre of fresh milk. At present, farmers get Rs. 17 to Rs. 21 per litre of fresh milk," he said. The programme commenced by the Ministry to popularise the consumption of fresh milk has shown positive results. Nearly 2000 litres of fresh milk are distributed among consumers in Colombo and suburbs. There is a huge demand for fresh milk in Colombo. The Ministry will expedite the collection of fresh milk throughout the country. Agriculture Technology and Crop Productivity Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Agriculture Ministry Secretary Dhanasena Hettiarachchi, Livestock Commissioner General Prof. H. W. Cyril and DAPH Director General Dr. S. K. R. Amarasekera also spoke. |
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