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Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Friday, 28 February 2014 00:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Chavakachcheri Dairy Development Centre a joint project by Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, GIZ-SME Development and Tetra Laval Food for Development was declared open yesterday by District Secretary Jaffna S. Arumainayaham in the presence of the German Ambassador, Dr. Jurgen Morhard.
The joint project is set to transform dairy development in the Northern region bringing together over 400 farmers in Chavakachcheri and Meesalai. Through this venture the smallholder dairy farmers would have access to personalised technical advice on how to increase their milk yield and quality. Cargills one of Sri Lanka’s leading players in the local dairy industry would link the market to the farmers through their advanced milk processing facilities and widespread market network.
Cargills Managing Director Imtiaz A. Wahid noted that through this intervention farmers are expected to increase their income by 50% empowering them to take on dairy farming as their primary source of livelihood. “When this project was first initiated Cargills was looking at the long term potential of the local dairy industry. Today the market dynamics have changed creating tremendous opportunity for local dairy farmers and we are pleased to have facilitated this project at the opportune time,” Wahid said.
Cargills is the third largest milk collector in Sri Lanka accounting for as much as 7% of the island’s annual milk production. The company currently collects fresh milk from over 15,000 dairy farmer’s island wide with an average daily collection of 70,000 litres. The Cargills dairy product range marketed under ‘Magic’ and ‘Kotmale’ brands includes ice cream, UHT milk, pasteurised milk, yoghurt and cheese.
Cargills works alongside farmers to guide them on feeding, vaccinations, animal health, milking, maintaining quality so that they can get the right price. This effort would be further enhanced with the knowledge and technical training extended by Tetra Laval Bangladesh which is also focused on introducing a new variety of grass to the region capable of producing higher yields.
Wahid added that the Cargills association with the project comes as part of its corporate philosophy of supporting Sri Lanka’s food security and quality. “We are working with a long term vision and in line with the aspired target of self-sufficiency in milk. Towards this end we are looking to empower our dairy farmers to one day stand on par with their international counterparts. The dairy industry can be revolutionised and with the industry working with the State combined with consumer awareness, this is a fully achievable goal,” he said.
