Small holder dairy farmers form the backbone of the dairy industry, contributing to 90% of Sri Lanka’s local milk supply. Organised knowledge-sharing, training, a sustainable business model and the transfer of deep dairy expertise can help upskill these farmers and lift their dairy farm performance and income.
With this purpose in mind, Managing Director of Fonterra Brands Lanka and Indian Sub-Continent Ms. Vidya Sivaraja recently initiated the Dairy Discussion Group series with a group of farmers in Bingiriya, Kurunegala together with Fonterra’s Supplier Relationship Officers (SROs).
“Good insights come from the grass root – and through our Dairy Discussion Group series which we initiated in July, we have looked into the various challenges faced by our hard-working dairy farmers. Such consultations have been valuable in co-creating solutions to help improve milk quality and yield. The solutions we are implementing are in line with the imperatives called out by the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication.”
“Our country is rich in resources, talent and ingenuity. We are committed to championing this potential in line with the nation’s priorities.”
A recent Dairy Discussion Group was held at the farm premises of one of Fonterra’s dairy farmers, Mr. Dharmashri Thennakoon and included other farmers from the neighbourhood. Speaking on the initiative Mr. Thennakoon stated, “The discussion, which also covered fodder management was a valuable learning experience. I was very appreciative that this was followed with the provision of grass cutting equipment. We hope Fonterra continues to host discussions such as this in the future where we can all grow together and find solutions as a community.”
Access to free fodder is available for farmers in the vicinity of Fonterra’s Pannala Training and Demonstration Farm. Mr. Indra Jayasinghe, a dairy farmer from Kuliyapitiya who recently received fodder from the farm says, “At a time where accessibility and costs of fodder is a challenge, getting extra fodder from Fonterra helped me sustain my operations.”
Fonterra Brands Lanka’s small holder dairy farmer network supplies milk for its Anchor and Anchor Newdale brands, including set yoghurt, stirred yoghurt, drinking yoghurt, fresh milk, UHT milk and flavoured milk.