Netherlands dairy sector delegation visits Lanka

A trade delegation from the Netherlands dairy sector visited Sri Lanka recently.

The delegation included companies specialising in storage of feed, processing and cooling equipment, technology consultation, renewable energy, agricultural machinery, finance and vocational training and education.

The delegation was led by Director, International Agribusiness, Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands, Ms. Sara Knijff.

Following a field visit to the dairy establishments in the Gampaha and Kurunegala districts, the delegation participated in a trade seminar and matchmaking session.

Deputy Highways and Investment Promotion Minister Eran Wickramaratne was the chief guest at the seminar.

He outlined the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary approach to deal with the challenges in the dairy sector. He emphasised the need to develop the dairy sector to ensure food security of the nation while maximising land use.

Ms. Knijff emphasised the need to develop the sector in a comprehensive way. A focus on one isolated factor is doomed to fail. Dairy production, 'from grass to glass', is a complex chain of activities that needs an integrated approach.

The Dutch experience could provide useful and relevant input for the Sri Lankan dairy sector. Many Dutch farms are still family-based and middle-sized and farmers still remember the days when milk cans were collected daily by the local processing company or cooperative.

The Dutch Ambassador, Louis Piët said, Dairy cooperation between the two countries goes back 40 years and many Sri Lankan professionals have been trained in the Netherlands. This provides a solid basis for renewed engagement.

"This visit should result in long-term business activities which will contribute to economic development in Sri Lanka and the Netherlands," he said.

Several participants said that they see good possibilities for joining forces with Sri Lankan companies or knowledge institutes in the dairy sector.