New Zealand offers Sri Lanka support to strengthen dairy industry

Wednesday, 5 November 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

New Zealand, a leading dairy producer in the world, has offered Sri Lanka its support to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries, especially to develop the island nation’s dairy industry.

Primary Industries Minister of New Zealand Nathan Guy with President Mahinda Rajapaksa Primary Industries Minister of New Zealand Nathan Guy, who led a trade delegation to Sri Lanka this week to promote trade and New Zealand’s co-hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015, met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. Guy is in Sri Lanka with a business delegation to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. The delegation, Guy said, represents a variety of different sectors, including hospitality, tourism, technology and the dairy industry, among others. In discussing the assistance to develop Sri Lanka’s dairy sector, Guy said the two countries are building a stronger relationship through the New Zealand-Sri Lanka Dairy Cooperation Arrangement (DCA). “The DCA is our commitment to the development of Sri Lanka’s dairy industry,” said Guy. Under the Dairy Cooperation Arrangement a range of initiatives are being delivered to Sri Lanka including a five-year $ 2.2 million New Zealand Aid program focused on veterinary education. Other activities focus on improving animal nutrition, extension services, and fostering veterinary exchanges. “New Zealand has one of the world’s most efficient dairy industries and a lot of valuable expertise to share with Sri Lankan dairy producers,” the New Zealand minister noted. Discussing ways to strengthen Sri Lanka’s dairy production, the Sri Lankan President proposed the exchange of farmers between the two countries as a way of learning from each other in the areas of agriculture and animal husbandry.”It’s one area we should further explore,” Guy agreed.