'People must be encouraged to consume fresh milk rather than powdered milk'

by Ananda Kannangara

K. A. Kanthi of Battaramulla says although the National Livestock Development Ministry is always telling that they take appropriate action to develop the cattle industry, I feel they have not yet taken any viable step to increase milk production.

She said the country has resources to develop the cattle farming and the Government should encourage farmers.

"If this is done, the country will be self sufficient in cow's milk and the import of powdered milk can be reduced to a greater extent".

Professor in Agriculture, Sumanadasa Rajakaruna said that during his visits to India, Malaysia and China for research, he found those countries had immensely developed cattle farming in remote villages. "This resulted in 80 per cent of the people getting used to drink cow milk.

"According to the Minister of Agriculture in the Indian Government had taken a firm decision to reduce import of milk powder to encourage cattle farmers," he said.

A university student Kolitha Samaradivakara of Kalutara said the Government should provide loans at lower interest to small scale cattle farmers.

A Pradeshiya Sabha member R.S.A. Sumanaweera of Hemmathagama requested all parliamentarians to set up at least two large scale cattle farms in their electorates to increase cow milk production.

Sumanawathi Saparamadu of Hanwella said, "Although the Government says that upgrading the cattle farming industry is the best solution to reduce milk powder imports, the Minister of National Livestock Development has not yet begun a viable program to increase milk production".

Nirmal Jhala of Kirulapona said, "Like in many Asian countries, there are plenty of fertile lands in Sri Lanka to develop the cattle farming industry."

"But, unfortunately the authorities do not pay any attention to fulfil this need and as a result, the country's milk powder import had gone up."

He also urged the State and the private sector banks to help villagers to start cattle farms by providing loans at low interest rates.

Kalpani Wijesinghe of Kurunagala said that the Government has a Minister in charge of Livestock Development, but the Ministry officials have never visited her area to meet villagers to discuss their grievances. "The livelihood of most villagers in our area is agriculture and animal husbandry, but they are unable to start even small scale cattle farms or poultry farms due to financial problems".

She therefore, requested the Ministry officials to discuss with people about their needs to develop the cattle farming industry.

Harshani Chandima of Anuradhapura said many cattle farmers in the area have stopped engaging in cattle farming due to financial and various other reasons. "I like to suggest the Ministry to import high breed cattle from foreign countries and distribute them among farmers free". A medical practitioner Dr. Sivali Abeysingha said people have got used to imported milk powder for the past three decades due to the poor production of cow milk.

"If the majority people in the country consumed cow milk during 1960s due to the massive development in the cattle framing industry, why cannot the Government reactivate the industry by encouraging cattle farmers.

A former MP Dayasiri Galagedara of Puwakpitiya, Avissawella said the Government will never upgrade the cattle farming industry as long as it imports fresh milk. "Therefore, I ask the Government to stop milk imports if the authorities really want to develop cattle farming in the country."

A resident of Battaramulla, Samarajeewa Rajakaruna asked the authorities to minimise the import of powdered milk and encourage villagers to start cattle farming.