Sri Lanka : Closure of Over 2500 Smallholder Dairy Farms in Nuwara Eliya District
Source: The DairyNews
In a concerning development, the Nuwara Eliya District in Sri Lanka witnessed the closure of more than 2500 smallholder dairy farms last year, resulting in a significant drop in milk production by over half a million litres.
According to the Central Province Department of Animal Production and Health, 6877 out of 9432 smallholder dairy farms in the district were shut down in 2023.
Deputy Director of the Central Province Department of Animal Production and Health, Dr. K.W.M. Dedunupitiya, highlighted that the total milk production in 2023 reached 54,836,230 litres, indicating a decline of 542,389 litres compared to the previous year.
Dr. Dedunupitiya pointed out several challenges plaguing the dairy industry, contributing to this decline. Issues such as a surge in forage prices, a shortage of grass and grazing grounds, escalating costs of milch cows, absence of a lucrative market for milk, rising labor and transport expenses, a scarcity of veterinary surgeons for farmer guidance, and inadequate supervision due to a lack of officers have collectively led to the downward trend in milk production and the closure of numerous dairy farms. The situation calls for urgent attention and strategic interventions to revitalize the smallholder dairy sector in Nuwara Eliya.
Deputy Director of the Central Province Department of Animal Production and Health, Dr. K.W.M. Dedunupitiya, highlighted that the total milk production in 2023 reached 54,836,230 litres, indicating a decline of 542,389 litres compared to the previous year.
Dr. Dedunupitiya pointed out several challenges plaguing the dairy industry, contributing to this decline. Issues such as a surge in forage prices, a shortage of grass and grazing grounds, escalating costs of milch cows, absence of a lucrative market for milk, rising labor and transport expenses, a scarcity of veterinary surgeons for farmer guidance, and inadequate supervision due to a lack of officers have collectively led to the downward trend in milk production and the closure of numerous dairy farms. The situation calls for urgent attention and strategic interventions to revitalize the smallholder dairy sector in Nuwara Eliya.
