Rs. 300m milk processing farm to be set up in Welikanda

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

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CIC Agribusinesses will set up a state of the art milk producing and processing farm with an investment of Rs. 300 million in Welikanda within the next three months.

"The company undertook the initiative following a request by the government to support the country's dairy industry to save the huge drain of foreign exchange", Director CIC Agribusinesses, Waruna Madawanarachchi said.

He said the company's aim was to reduce the quantity of milk imported and encourage the local production of milk. The country imported around 65,000MT of milk last year at a cost of US$ 2,500 a tonne. Today a metric tonne of imported milk costs US$ 4,500.

The company will import good breed cattle from Australia and buffaloes from Pakistan. The farm will have around 1,000 cattle and the initial target is to obtain around 5,000 litres of milk and to increase it to 15,000- 20,000 litres in the next couple of years.

CIC Agribusinesses will also set up a 1,500-acre corn farm in the East in October. The farm will comprise around 300 farmers from the area.

"Agribusinesses are not only to enhance profits and make big names but also to ensure food security in the country. Good technology and sound management is what is required to develop agriculture in the country," Madawanarachchi said.

The import of wheat flour has to be reduced to develop rice based agriculture and stabilise prices. Sri Lanka spends enormously on the import of wheat flour which is creating an imbalance in the agricultural sector.

Sri Lanka's cricket icon Sanath Jayasuriya who was appointed brand Ambassador for CIC Agribusinesses said as he has contributed to cricket he is committed to promote agriculture and ensure food security in the country.

"My aim is to take the message across the country that agriculture has a pivotal role to play in the development of the country and not to promote the business of a company," Jayasuriya said.

Chief Operating Officer, CIC Agribusinesses, Samantha Ranatunga said Sanath Jayasuriya is a path-finder in Sri Lanka and has helped to change the attitude of many people. His iconic presence will encourage people to develop agriculture in the country.

CIC Agribusinesses which began operations 15 years ago in the fertiliser business has diversified into seeds, planting material, agri machinery, nutrients, foliage, advisory services, animal husbandry, breeding of fresh prawns and agro tourism.