 Fonterra Brands Lanka Ltd this week commissioned its newest yoghurt manufacturing plant at its factory complex in Biyagama with an investment of Rs .1.2 billion.
With the installation of the new plant, Fonterra is expected to increase its milk collection from farmers by an additional 8,000 litres daily. The company has also invested in three milk collecting centres that would enable them to collect milk from another 3,000 diary farmers, in addition to the existing 3,000 farmers.
It was commissioned by R. M. C. B. Rathnayaka, Minister for Livestock Development in the company of Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services. Mr Gunawardena said that the country needed foreign investment to boost the economy, and with the Fonterra investment, it would provide more employment, help the local diary farmers and provide quality products.
He wasn't happy about the reduction of milk powder imports by 40 % as he indicated import duty also constitutes an important segment of government revenue, that would enable the government to support its activities like the war effort. He said that import tariffs while providing government revenue is used to protect the local farmers and producers.
Mark Wilson, Regional Managing Director, Fonterra said that Sri Lanka is a very important market for them and it is the largest market in Asia outside Australia and New Zealand. He said that they think globally and act locally and in places they have developed markets they take action to enhance local milk production.
He said that they work hand in hand with the local industry. Mr Rathnayake said that it is a strong signal that Fonterra is committed to local farmers and the industry and Fonterra is willing to invest in the future.
Achyut Reddy, Managing Director, Fonterra Lanka said that they will continue to invest in educational programmes and technical training to help their local supplier base increase production by improving pasture yields and better breeding. Pic by J. Weerasekera shows Ministers Gunawardena and Rathnayaka holding cups of yoghurt.
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