Nestle looks to expand Sri Lankan dairy industry
This will be followed by eight more cooling centres that will be opened before the end of this year.
Located in the northern province of the country, the centre is the first to be opened in the area in 30 years. “This area is a zone which was earlier not accessible for such development throughout the strife. Now that the North Eastern areas are conflict free, we are keen to develop these areas, especially with regard to the dairy industry, in line with the government’s vision to develop the North Eastern province,” a spokesperson for the company told DairyReporter.com.
Development in Sri Lanka
This will be Nestle’s 107th chilling centre in Sri Lanka and will have a capacity of 1,600 litres and testing equipment. It will be serviced by milk collection points established by Nestlé Lanka in Kandawalai, Kilinochchi, Visuwuamadhu, Wattakachchi, Uruththirapuram and Iranamadu.
Nestle says that they have accelerated their development initiatives in the dairy industry over the last two years. “This is a part of our mission to develop and empower the local dairy industry and Create Shared Value. Three of these eight centres will be opened in the North Eastern District,” the company commented.
Training for farmers
Nestle Sri Lanka said it will provide dairy farmers with training, development, support and assistance in their farming practices. The company says it will also offer aid and information on livestock health, breeding, milking, hygiene, sterile handling and storage.
The company is currently collecting milk from 100 farming families in the area but Nestle expects that the introduction of the new centre will soon increase this to 500 families.
“This inauguration of the Chilling Centre at Kilinochchi is an important milestone in our endeavour to support the development of the dairy industry in Sri Lanka. Our 107th chilling centre is the first in the Kilinochchi area and we hope it will accelerate economic development and prosperity for the people in this region,” said Antonio Helio Waszyk, Chairman of Nestle Lanka and Head of the South Asia Region, attended the official opening.
Nestle Lanka is the country’s single largest private sector collector of fresh milk. The company acquires about 115,000 litres of milk every day from 13,000 local dairy farmers.
The new Nestle Lanka centre was officially opened by Honourable Chamal Rajapaksa, speaker of parliament and Honourable Aura P Yapa, minister of the environment.
