Govt to develop milk industry - Speaker

Raja WAIDYASEKERA- Tissamaharama spl corr

The government has focused its attention on the development of the milk industry to make the country self-sufficient in milk, said Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, addressing a meeting that followed the opening of the Veterinary office in Ambalantota.

He said that several grazing land in the district would be developed, while the Amarawewa grazing land in Tissamaharama was being developed by a private firm.

He said that an extent of about 50 acres from Weerawila belonging to the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB), would be acquired for the setting up of a poultry farm in the district.

Continuing, the Speaker said that the transportation of cattle to distant places was a problem due to trap guns being laid for wild beasts, which had also become a death trap to the cattle.

Cattle thefts too were stumbling blocks for the milk industry, he said.

Speaker Rajapaksa said that steps have been taken to provide cattle owners with high bred cattle to enhance the milk industry and also the curd industry.

He said that 20,000 hectare have been allocated for cattle owners to protect their herds in the district.