Indian company Amul concludes its inspection of 31 farms owned by Sri Lanka’s National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) amid plans to boost the country’s liquid milk industry, despite objections from local dairy farmers regarding a proposed lease agreement.
A delegation from India’s Amul Company has completed its inspection of 31 farms owned by Sri Lanka’s National Livestock Development Board (NLDB), marking a significant step in the collaborative efforts between the two nations to enhance Sri Lanka’s liquid milk industry. The visit comes in the wake of an agreement between India and Sri Lanka to cooperate on improving the country’s dairy sector, potentially involving the leasing of NLDB farms to Amul.
During the inspection, the Amul team gathered crucial information on land use, annual production, animal numbers, and underutilized land across the NLDB farms. This data will play a pivotal role in formulating a new plan for NLDB’s farm development, aimed at enhancing efficiency and productivity in the dairy sector.
However, the proposed lease agreement between NLDB and Amul has encountered resistance from local dairy farmers, who have organized protests in recent months. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact of the agreement on their livelihoods and the broader dairy industry in Sri Lanka.
Despite the objections, discussions between NLDB and Amul continue, highlighting the complex dynamics at play as both parties navigate the path towards revitalizing Sri Lanka’s dairy sector while addressing the concerns of local stakeholders.
