Nestlé opens new milk chilling center in Sri Lanka

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

Dairy farmers in Vaddakkachchi, Sri Lanka, where a new Nestlé milk chilling facility has opened
Dairy farmers in Vaddakkachchi, Sri Lanka, where a new Nestlé milk chilling facility has opened

Related tags Fresh milk Milk Sri lanka

Nestlé, Sri Lanka’s largest private sector collector of fresh milk, has opened a new milk chilling center in the northeastern town of Vaddakkachchi.

The company says the new facility will help farmers keep their milk fresh at a temperature of 4° Celsius. Previously, facilities for storing fresh milk in the area resulted in low quality and wastage.

Each Nestlé chilling center is equipped with testing equipment and farmers are paid for the quality of milk they provide – the higher the quality, the higher the price they receive.

Long term investment in community

Nestlé has been working with Sri Lankan authorities since the early 1980s to help develop the dairy industry and address the need to produce more milk for market demands.

The company says it hopes to not only increase the supply and quality of milk but also provide local farmers a livelihood that is sustainable.

Nestlé holds training and development programs for farmers on technical topics and best practices, including cattle feeding, breeding, animal health and farm management. It also provides equipment and medicine, and financial assistance to develop dairy farms.

Expanding in the north

Shivani Hegde, Nestlé Lanka’s managing director, said the company was committed to providing Sri Lankan consumers with a range of products that also contribute to the rural economy.

“It is part of our ‘Creating Shared Value’ approach, where we believe that our business activities must also have a positive impact on the local community,”​ Hegde said.

This year, the company plans to expand its milk procurement network in the north of the country, which accounts for 22% of the country’s cattle. 

Local optimism for facility

Ariyputhiran Krishnaseelan, a dairy farmer from Vaddakkachchi, is optimistic that the new facility will help revive the town’s dairy industry and benefit the farming community. 

Nestlé has contributed $20m (LKR3.6bn) to almost 20,000 local farmers as payment for fresh milk, to manufacture its products like Nespray, Milo and Milkmaid.

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1 comment

Milk Chilling Plant

Posted by Kanai Chakraberti,

As a SENIOR DAIRY TECHNOLOGIST, with vast experience in managing MILK CHILLING PLANTS, I wish to be inducted in your team, for a year.
A minimum wage of US$ 4000.00 PM would suffice for me + a free single accommodation.

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