Govt. outlines ambitious plan
By Madhusha Thavapalakumar Sri Lanka’s local milk production, which is less than half of the local demand, is set to be doubled next year to gradually meet 100% of the national milk demand by 2023, according to the State Minister of Livestock, Farm Promotion, and Dairy and Egg-Related Industries. State Minister D.B. Herath told The Sunday Morning Business that the current local milk production is sufficient only to cater to 35% of the local demand and plans are underway to increase it by another 35% in 2021.
“This means, by next year, we will be able to cater to 70% of the local demand. We will import the remaining 30% as usual and bring down the imports gradually over the coming years,” Herath added.
In order to increase the number of cows in Sri Lanka, the State Ministry is in talks with the relevant authorities to import cows and also to increase the average milk production of a cow by increasing their feed.
The Cabinet of Ministers last Monday (30) approved a proposal submitted by the State Ministry to implement the “Saubhagya” Dairy Development Programme and the “Dairy Development Centres” project for this purpose.
Improving farm animal breeding, nutrition, health conditions, and creating eco-friendly farms through animal waste management are planned under the “Saubhagya” Dairy Development Programme. Meanwhile, the “Dairy Development Centres” project aims to develop the milk value chain process by upgrading artificial insemination centres, providing necessary inputs, and networking veterinary offices.
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) data states that in 2018, the total milk production in Sri Lanka increased by 19% to 471.6 million litres, compared to 396.2 million litres in 2017. Cow milk production increased by 17.7% to 385.7 million litres, while buffalo milk production increased by 25.3% to 85.9 million litres in comparison to 2017.
According to the annual reports from the CBSL, Sri Lanka’s milk and milk powder imports have been growing gradually since 2015 and reached Rs. 54 billion in 2018. In 2015, milk and milk powder imports were accounted at Rs. 34 billion, while it was Rs. 36 billion in 2016 and Rs. 48 billion in 2017.