Sri Lanka to import dairy cows to set up breeding prorgramme
The government of Sri Lanka has reportedly said that a recently approved proposal to import dairy cows was aimed at setting up a breeding programme.
Accordingly, a specialised breed of cattle is to be imported to establish two stud farms in Sri Lanka with the long-term aim of increasing domestic dairy production.
Sri Lanka’s Co- Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Bandula Gunawardana has said the government will not seek to import dairy cows for distribution among dairy farmers anymore.
The Minister has pointed out that US$ 312 million was spent annually for the import of dairy products to Sri Lanka and the Cabinet decision is to now import 2,500 stud bulls is in line with plans to improve national dairy milk production.
“We have identified core areas which need development, which include the need to increase the volume of special cattle fodder and other foods needed to feed dairy cows. Today, we don’t have adequate volumes of cattle fodder, which is a special variety of lush grass, needed to feed dairy cows. Therefore, the cows produce less milk and their reproduction cycle is affected,” Sri Lanka’s National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) Chairman Prof. Manjula Maganama has told the media, pointing out that on average, a high-yield dairy cow will consume at least 10% of their weight in fodder.
Prof. Managama has said that importing and distributing dairy cows was not the answer to Sri Lanka’s dairy needs.
“We need to focus on first having adequate cattle fodder and then we can begin through a reproduction centre and artificial insemination techniques deliver the high-quality dairy cattle we need to fill the local requirement,” he has said.
The Government has noted that it hoped to renegotiate a loan assistance programme from the Australian Government to facilitate the stud farms.
OSL take:
Sri Lankan authorities are trying to make the country self sufficient in dairy milk. This has opened up many business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s dairy industry. From supplying dairy cows, stud bulls for breeding, animal feed to the latest technologies in the global dairy market, there are many business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s dairy industry. Foreign businesses/investors engaged in the dairy business could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s dairy industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20200610/Z_3 |