Research on milk production and beef consumption finds Sri Lanka does not have well-organised dairy

Monday, 6 November 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Policy Development Office of the Prime Minister’s Office has conducted a research study on the present status of milk production and beef consumption in Sri Lanka.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the lack of dedicated production line and supply chain for beef, leather, cattle bones have impacted negatively in sustaining the productive stocks of dairy cattle because of the legal and illegal slaughtering of cattle drawn from the limited dairy stock.

The research was carried out by coordinating many institutions involved in the field of dairy production and using primarily the secondary data available with the respective institutions and agencies.

Due to an increase in milk powder prices in the world market, the Government has paid special attention to develop the local dairy industry to maintain the milk powder supplies in the country.

The study found that Sri Lanka does not have a well-organised beef industry as compared to poultry industry. It concluded that although Sri Lanka has not achieved self-sufficiency in the dairy industry, the total national milk production has shown a continuous growth;

Total export volume of bone and leather products has decreased as well as the demand for local beef and therefore, production of beef has declined.

Accordingly, both the legal and illegal slaughter of cattle and buffalo has decreased though the reduction of the illegal slaughter is relatively small.

The study recommended several measures to boost the dairy industry and requested the Ministry of Rural Economy to take necessary actions to implement the recommendations.

The research report, conclusions and further information are available at www.facebook.com/policydevelopmentoffice.