According to data from the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka produces only around 43% of its daily milk requirement locally, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne stated in Parliament today (24).

He said the government has allocated Rs. 1,000 million under this year’s Budget to increase the country’s annual milk production from 410 million litres to 1,200 million litres.

The Deputy Minister further stated that an additional Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated for the development of the Nikaweratiya Farm as part of efforts to boost milk production.

He noted that the farm is expected to be developed into a nucleus breeding farm to produce high-quality female and male cattle and buffaloes required by the country in the future.

Karunaratne also said that several other initiatives are already being implemented under the Nikaweratiya Breeder Farm Development Project.

In addition, he emphasised that the government has taken measures to improve the livelihoods of local dairy farmers and encourage their participation in the sector.

He pointed out that projects such as the implementation of the National Dairy Production Programme islandwide, the modernisation of animal breeding farms using advanced technology, and the provision of necessary facilities to farmers to increase local milk production have already been initiated.