Farmers from Sri Lanka and New Zealand share dairy expertise

Thursday, 23 July 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Local Sri Lankan dairy farmers recently met with 10 New Zealand farmers in Gampaha to share knowledge, exchange ideas and discuss common challenges.

The New Zealand farmers were visiting Sri Lanka as part of their role as Fonterra Shareholders’ Councillors – a group of farmers who represent the co-operative’s 10,500 farmer shareholders.

During a tour of Fonterra’s state-of-the-art Milk Chilling Centre in Gampaha, the New Zealand farmers shared their expertise with 25 local dairy farmers and their families, using photos of their farms in New Zealand to visually explain ways to improve dairy management, fodder cultivation and on-farm production.

Chairman of the Fonterra Shareholders’ Council, Duncan Coull, said that Fonterra had operated in Sri Lanka for around 35 years and was committed to helping develop the Sri Lankan dairy industry.

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“Our farmers have worked in the dairy industry for many generations so there is a wealth of knowledge that we’re able to share with Sri Lankan farmers to help them improve their dairy production here.

“This includes advice on how to improve milk quality, efficiency and animal welfare. The interactive session enabled us to gain a better understanding about the conditions of local dairy farms in Sri Lanka and the challenges they face,” said Coull.

The New Zealand farmers also visited the Doranagoda School, located near Fonterra’s Gampaha Milk Chilling Centre, to officially hand over a new water and sanitation facility built as part of the Fonterra Grass Roots Fund, which supports the farming communities of Sri Lanka.

“Being able to support the development of the local industry and contribute to the wider community gives us immense pride as shareholders of Fonterra.

“The New Zealand dairy industry has been built on the foundation of cooperation, innovation and collaboration, and visits like these help bring it all to life in the countries where we operate,” said Coull.

Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka Managing Director Leon Clement said it was great for the New Zealand farmers to be able to share their knowledge and bring their expertise to Sri Lanka.

“In Sri Lanka we’re focused on assisting Sri Lankan farmers to grow their milk supply, and hearing firsthand from New Zealand farmers about how dairy best practices will help to develop the industry here,” Clement added.

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