Program to boost milk production

by Rohana JAYALAL

The Ministry of Livestock Development will launch a project to increase milk production, said Minister Livestock Development, C. B. Rathnayake.

Sri Lanka needs around 365 million litres of milk a year but only 250 million litres are produced.

The Minister said the Ministry plans to increase milk production by 2015.

Around 1,500 cattle farms, 100 milk collecting centres, 925 milk stalls will be opened islandwide, he said.

The Minister said 202 million litres of milk, 125,000 mt of meat and 916 million eggs were produced by mid October.

A Bill will be presented to ban the slaughter of cattle, he said.

The Ministry of Livestock Development has decided to set up a fund to develop the livestock sector and improve research.

The national milk producers convention will be held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium today. Around 5,000 milk producers are expected to participate.