Bid to raise milk production

The Government is to implement stern action against the indiscriminate slaughter of cattle. This will also see an increase in the annual production of fresh milk.

According to Presidential Secretariat sources, 450,000 head of milch cows, calves and buffaloes are needed to achieve the expected milk production targets.

Livestock Development Minister C. B. Ratnayake said Defence Ministry help has been sought to implement the laws sternly and without delay as there have been several reports of death threats from underworld elements to officials tasked to prevent cattle slaughter.

The Government had been able to reduce the import of milk powder from 60,000 metric tons to 42,000 metric tons annually by making use of local herds to increase production from 15 to 27 per cent over the past year, despite obstacles faced in procuring high breed milch cows from abroad, he said.

The Minister also emphasised that with the liberation of the Eastern Province there is a vast trend among the people in the region to engage in dairy farming.

He added that under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's directive the Government has taken measures to increase the purchase price of a litre of milk from Rs. 40 to Rs. 45 from September 1.

Ratnayake said that stern action will be taken against those engaged in the indiscriminate slaughter of cows as a deterrent measure.