Ampara to get fully equipped milk factory

THE State Infrastructure and Livestock Ministry will establish a fully equipped milk factory in the Ampara District for the benefit of 1,400 dairy farmers in the district.

Estate Infrastructure and Livestock Minister C. B. Ratnayake gave this assurance when he met dairy farmers in Ampara at the Keppitipola Navodya School premises during an inspection tour recently.

A press release from the Government Information Department said there are 25 self managed Dairy Farmer Societies in the district with a total membership of 1,400. Their daily production of milk has increased to 3,000 litres bringing in a substantial income.

The release said problems faced by dairy farmers were discussed at length at this meeting.

They included the lack of proper veterinary services, disappearance of cattle along the boarders of threatened villages and the lack of grazing land due to restrictions imposed on entry of cattle into forest reserves.

The Minister who gave a hearing to issues brought up by dairy farmers promised to find solution to them without delay, the release said.