Fonterra to provide free milk in schools

Fonterra will start a pilot free 'Milk in Schools' program in Sri Lanka, New Zealand's Primary Industries Minister, Nathan Guy said.

The program is an initiative to boost Sri Lanka's dairy industry, which is still centred around small-scale farms.

Recently, Guy and a New Zealand business delegation, which included former Black Cap cricketer Stephen Fleming, met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several Ministers.

A Fonterra spokesman said the pilot program will be launched in early 2015.

The Nutrition Unit of the Education Ministry said that there were initial discussions on the free milk program for school children and the pilot project is expected to commence in January with the new school term.

Fonterra, which has a liquid milk processing plant in Biyagama, is supplied by 4000 farmers, processing 30,000 litres a day.

A group of model farms set up by Fonterra have seen a 42 percent lift in overall milk production, and a 55 percent increase in income on average after the first 12 months.

While in Sri Lanka, Guy laid the foundation stone for a milk chilling station with an investment of Rs 30 million in Gampaha. Farmers can drop off the milk at this unit and from there it will be taken to Biyagama.

"There are 200,000 dairy farmers in Sri Lanka who each own just a handful of cows, they milk them by hand and carry the milk to a chilling station on bikes. The new station will increase the quality of raw milk collected in the area," Guy said.Overall trade with Sri Lanka is worth $280 million a year to New Zealand, most of it are dairy products.

"Our two countries are building a stronger relationship through the New Zealand-Sri Lanka Dairy Co-operation Arrangement (DCA). The DCA is our commitment to the development of Sri Lanka's dairy industry," he said.

"New Zealand has one of the world's most efficient dairy industries, and a lot of valuable expertise to share with Sri Lankan dairy producers."

"There are only 280,000 cows in Sri Lanka compared with five million in New Zealand and they are keen to improve productivity. Genetics, animal husbandry, feeding techniques and technology can all play a part in this." Guy said there was a possibility of exporting live dairy cattle to Sri Lanka but they would have to be compatible breeds for local tropical conditions.

Another initiative under the DCA is a five-year, $2.2m, New Zealand Aid program focused on veterinary education. Other activities focus on improving animal nutrition, extension services, and fostering veterinary exchanges.

- SJ