The government has allocated Rs. 2 billion this year to strengthen Sri Lanka's dairy sector and increase domestic milk production, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne told Parliament today (24).
According to the Deputy Minister, data from the Department of Census and Statistics shows that Sri Lanka currently produces only around 43% of its daily milk requirement locally.
He said Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated under this year's Budget to increase the country's annual milk production from 410 million litres to 1,200 million litres.
An additional Rs. 1,000 million has also been allocated for the development of the Nikaweratiya Farm, which is expected to be transformed into a nucleus breeding farm.
Karunaratne said the upgraded farm will produce high-quality female and male cattle and buffaloes needed to support the country's future dairy industry.
He added that several initiatives are already being implemented under the Nikaweratiya Breeder Farm Development Project.
The Deputy Minister also said the government has introduced measures to improve the livelihoods of local dairy farmers and encourage greater participation in the sector.
Among the ongoing initiatives are the implementation of the National Dairy Production Programme across the island, the modernisation of animal breeding farms using advanced technology, and the provision of essential facilities to farmers to help increase local milk production.
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