Fonterra distributes value bundle to boost farmers’ productivity

Friday, 5 February 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

R. Nishantha, recipient of the value bundle, uses fodder harvesting equipment to drive efficiencies, supported by Fonterra’s on-ground team

Fonterra Brands Lanka has actioned a program to provide free access to three critical inputs – quality fodder, specially-formulated Minerals Mix packs and mechanised equipment to its smallholder dairy farmers in a drive to elevate on-farm productivity and yield.

Smallholder farmers who contribute 90% to the Sri Lankan milk supply experience challenges around access to right quality feed and on-farm efficiencies. The ‘value bundle’ distribution drive is meant to encourage use of the right quality feed to nourish dairy cattle and dairy equipment to assist milking and fodder harvesting, driving safety, efficiency and productivity.

Fonterra Brands Lanka and Indian Subcontinent Managing Director Vidya Sivaraja said, “We work closely with our smallholder farmers to get their inputs and feedback from our grassroot Dairy Discussion Groups with them, bringing in our global knowledge and expertise. Based on this we develop the key interventions required to improve productivity. It’s encouraging to see the initial progress made through these interventions, through on-ground training and development. We will continue to support our farmers to leverage and adopt these best practices into their daily farm management.”

Fonterra Brands Lanka’s small holder dairy farmer network supplies milk for its Anchor and Anchor Newdale brands, including set yoghurt, stirred yoghurt, drinking yoghurt, fresh milk, UHT milk and flavoured milk, manufactured at its local dairy processing facility in Biyagama.

Smallholder dairy farmers receive value bundle from Fonterra Brands Lanka to support productivity and yield gains