Boost for dairy milk industry

Nimal Wijesinghe

The Livestock Development Ministry has embarked on a dairy milk industry promotion programme.

In addition to the Government funds, the United Nations Development programme has allocated Rs. 30 million for the uplift livestock projects in the province.

Priority is being given to elevate milk production in addition to encouraging farmers to take to goat and paultry farming.

As a remedial measure to overcome the scarcity of animals the Livestock Development Ministry with the assistance of the Government Agent and the veterinary officials in the Batticaloa district has initiated a programme to catch stray cattle and hand them over to owners or farmers or organisations keen on engaging in the dairy milk industry.

Under this rehabilitation scheme, 75,000 cattle have been returned to owners, Dr. Wasantha Piyadasa, a director of the Ministry said.