Animal husbandry sector needs Govt help – ACDFA

By Buddhika Samaraweera

The animal husbandry sector could be developed in a very short period of time if the Government removes taxes on farm equipment and provided them to farmers at a lower price, President of the All Ceylon Dairy Farmers' Association (ACDFA) Susantha Kumara Navaratne said.

He also said the Government has not taken adequate steps to revive the animal husbandry sector which is currently in a state of severe decline, adding that many people are now turning to other livelihoods as they have to bear huge production costs. 

Speaking further he noted that farmers are facing serious problems due to the high cost of machinery such as milking equipment and animal food.

“For example, in order to develop the dairy industry, the Government should not start new dairy factories but increase milk production by strengthening rural dairy farmers,” he added insisting that setting up new factories is futile as the country currently has sufficient dairy factories.