Centre for Yoghurt Technology celebrates 13th anniversary

The Centre for Yoghurt Technology, Ratmalana, set up in February 1997, under the auspices of SMI Foundation – Colombo District, will be celebrating its 13th Anniversary next February. Several special programmes will be conducted to celebrate the event.

The primary objective of the centre is to strengthen the small and medium scale yoghurt manufacturers and to work towards the upliftment of the industry as a whole. The Centre for Yoghurt Technology provides a wide range of services to the existing producers of yoghurt and also to those intending to enter the industry.

The services provided presently by the Centre for Yoghurt Technology includes the following:

A 24 hour hotline (0714-212121) is kept open for the benefit of yoghurt manufacturers in all parts of the country, to facilitate obtaining technical assistance with regard to yoghurt manufacture and also to get assistance in problem solving with regard to technical issues. A large number of small and medium scale yoghurt manufacturers do make frequent use of the facility, which is made available to them free of charge.

Regular workshops are conducted by the centre to enable the new entrants to the industry to obtain technical advice on production and on other related matters. They are production of yoghurt on industrial scale, including selection of most suitable equipment, ingredients and packaging.

Only a nominal participation fee of Rs. 750 is charged for such full day workshops. Tea, lunch and a comprehensive hand book on yoghurt manufacture, priced at Rs. 400 are provided free of charge to the participants. Over 100 such workshops have been conducted by the centre so far.

In addition to the regular workshops held at the Ratmalana Head Office, workshops are also conducted at the invitation of Governmental and Non Governmental Organisations in different parts of the country. Over 2,000 people have participated at such workshops so far and out of them a large number have already entered the industry.

The centre has collaborated in the supply of high quality equipment including yoghurt incubators, yoghurt trays and thermometers most suitable for yoghurt manufacture. In addition, the centre has made arrangements to make available some of the key ingredients to the industrialists, including yoghurt cultures, stabilisers, flavours and colours of superior quality.

The yoghurt industry provides a wonderful opportunity to farmers in milk industry to add value to their production. In addition, the industry provides an excellent opportunity for small investors with entrepreneurial skills to get in to an industry of their own with a meagre capital.

The centre plans to expand its scope of assistance to industry by extending its services primarily to milk producing areas through various service providers in the private and public sector. In addition, plans are under way to establish branch offices in various parts of the country, in the near future.

The centre which is being operated as a non profit making organisation is sponsored by a few industrialists in the industry and by service providers to the industry. The Yoghurt Technology Centre is situated No. 11, First Lane, Ratmalana.