Ministry to promote liquid milk

DHARMA SRI ABEYRATNE

The Livestock Development Ministry has taken steps to promote liquid milk under the slogan of "Drink liquid milk to Strengthen our Nation".

The Ministry, under this programme is aiming to eradicate malnutrition by providing fresh milk while providing the farmers engaged in dairy farming to earn a good income.

Addressing a press briefing yesterday, Livestock Development Minister R.M.C.B. Ratnayake said the Ministry has taken steps to save Rs. 15,000 million which is spent on 60,000 mt. tonnes of milk powder imports annually. "We have planned to increase our dairy products up to 50 per cent by 2010. It was at 15 per cent when the PA Government came to power," the Minister said.

Since the country produces only 17 per cent of its milk requirement, Sri Lanka imports 83 per cent of the local milk demand, Ratnayake said. Therefore the Ministry has considered strengthening the dairy farmers.

Accordingly, dairy farming villages have been set up under the theme Kiri Govi Gammana and the Government has directed a fixed price for liquid milk. In addition cows with healthy pedigrees will be distributed among farmers while 200 newly recruited veterinary surgeons will assist these farmers. The amount of collecting centres will be increased up to 100 by April next year.

"Unlike other countries Sri Lankans consume more powdered milk. We have to change this culture and use liquid milk instead since liquid milk is fresh and nutritious than powdered milk.

Therefore the Ministry has been developing a network aimed at delivering fresh milk at the door step in every part of the country and franchise sales outlets for liquid milk will also be established, the Minister said.