In a recent revelation by the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) in Parliament, Sri Lanka's dairy sector faces a severe crisis, marked by the closure of approximately 14,000 small-scale farms and a significant decline in milk production.
While officials from the State Ministry of Livestock Department attribute the farm closures to animal theft, Members of Parliament (MPs) express skepticism, suggesting that factors such as the destruction of grasslands and land-related issues likely contribute more substantially to the crisis.
COPA underscores the importance of the Department of Animal Production and Health maintaining accurate and transparent data on the industry. This data is deemed crucial for comprehending the root causes of the crisis and formulating effective policy responses.
Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera, present at the meeting, acknowledges the decline in milk production reported by Milco, the country's largest dairy processor. He emphasizes the implementation of the Artificial Insemination Programme and the formulation of a National Policy on milk production as vital measures to address the challenges confronting the industry.
Concerns arise following the death of 104 Australian goats imported for breeding, prompting COPA members to urge the department to ensure proper care and management of imported livestock, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
