S.L.Vet.J.
2011, 58(B): 29-34
DAIRY INDUSTRY IN SRI LANKA - PART I
1. INTRODUCTION
The dairy industry of Sri Lanka comprise of a combination
of several hundred thousands of smallholder farmers, few large
scale state and private sector dairy farms, some small and
medium size peri-urban dairies and few cooperate and private
sector processors. It accounts for the largest share of labour
participation among all the livestock activities, but its estimated
contribution to the national GDP is less than 1%. This is partly
due to the inability of the national income accounting estimates
to capture the real value of the contribution of dairy industry,
which performs multitude of functions to Sri Lankan economy.
Besides the primary role of producing milk and other livestock
products, dairy industry offers employment opportunities for
the surplus family labour and supplement meager household
incomes in well over half a million households. Moreover, it
provides complementary inputs for crop farming through the
provision of animal power and organic manure (cow dung).
The dairy industry of Sri Lanka has been classified into three
groups (Ranawana, 2008), namely milk production, milk
processing and imports. Production sector comprise of dairy
farmers and their service providers, while the processing sector
comprise of the milk collectors and processors. Milk imports
are mainly in the hands of the private sector. Sri Lanka's demand
for beef is met generally as a by-product of the dairy industry
through culled female stock and surplus males. However, this
aspect has not been pursued actively by the government, due to
the cultural background of the country.
The cultivable land in Sri Lanka, is estimated to be about 2
million hectares (30% of the total land area) while 70% of it are
maintained as smallholdings. Of this 90% of the holdings are
below 2ha in extent and 33% farmers are engaged in livestock
production (MLD & RI, 1995) The smallholders dominate the
agriculture sector providing income to 70% of the country's
population contributing 18.4% to the GDP in 1996 (Ibrahim et
al, 1999). However, during the last few years its contribution to
the GDP has declined to less than 12% bringing it down to
11.7% in 2007. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to note that the
contribution of the livestock sector to the national GDP has
improved from 0.94 in 2003 to 1.13% in 2007. Correspondingly
the contribution of livestock to agriculture GDP has also
improved from 7.08% to 9.72% from 2003 to 2007 (Central
Bank, 2007)
2. TRENDS IN MILK PRODUCTION,
CONSUMPTION AND IMPORTS
2.1 Dairy animals and their productivity
Sri Lanka's dairy animal population includes both cattle and
buffaloes. Cattle and buffalo population and their distribution
by the types over the last decade (1998 - 2007) is given in Table
1, while their distribution on provincial basis is given in Table 2.
Population distribution on the basis of the agro-ecological
regions is shown in Table 3. By the dawn of independence, the
cattle and buffalo population was predominantly of the
indigenous type, but their productivity was low. The lactation
performance reported was 1-2 liters/cow/day over a lactation
length of 5-6 months (Mahadevan, 1951, 1952). Mahadevan
states that “they were animals that had been subject to centuries
Dr. D.H.A.Subasinghe and Prof. H.Abeygunawardena, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences,
University of Peradeniya
of unconscious selection by man for their ability to produce
modest, albeit dependable yields under conditions of minimal
care. Long years of evolution in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) had resulted
in a breed of cattle that was incapable of producing high yields
even with high levels of nutrition and intensive management.
Nevertheless, considerable effort and funds have been invested
by the state for almost two decades on the selective breeding of
black and red Sinhala cattle”(Mahadevan, 1970).
It has also been said that, "If selection within the native
population was adopted for genetic improvement, it would take
100 years to double the productivity of the native cattle and
buffaloes” (Mahadevan, 1953). Crossbreeding with exotic
dairy breeds was adopted as a national breeding policy as early
as 1940, to improve the milk production potential of the
progeny (Buvanendran, 1969, 1971; Wijeratne, 1970,
Buvanendran & Mahadevan, 1975). Both natural and artificial
breeding with exotic studs was vigorously pursued for several
years. Over the past three decades, predominantly indigenous
cattle and buffalo populations of the island have been
transformed into mixed populations of genotypes such as
purebred and crossbred animals of temperate breeds, exotic
zebu and exotic river buffaloes. Field surveys conducted in
the1990s (Abeygunawardena et al., 1994; Ibrahim et al, 1999)
indicate that only about 50% the total cattle population could be
categorized as indigenous, while cross-bred and purebred
exotic animal form approximately 50% of the balance
population. With regard to buffaloes, approximately 30% of the
buffalo population is categorized as cross-breds and pure-breds
of exotic river types (Fig. 1). Although there are no accurate
estimates about the productivity of the cross-bred population,
available literature reports that the average production of a
cross-bred cow in the dry and dry intermediate zones is in the
range of 3-5 liters and in the case of buffaloes it is in the range of
4-6 liters. Daily milk yields ranging from 6-10 liters have been
reported for the cross-bred and pure-bred cattle in the wet, hill
and mid-country areas (Abeygunawardena et al, 1997; Ibrahim
et al, 1999).
2.2 Forage resources of Sri Lanka and its relevance to
dairying
Amongst many other essential inputs, good quality forages
are an essential requirement in ruminant/dairy production. In
Sri Lanka, nearly 12,000 km2 of the total land area is under grass
(Premadasa, 1990). Nevertheless, these grasslands have
deteriorated due to poor management and neglect under the
existing socioeconomic conditions. However, grasslands
remain very important for livestock and dairy development and
environment stability. But, there is a need for their conservation
and proper management of these resources, for the sustainable
development of the dairy industry (Premaratne, et al, 2003). A
comprehensive report on the pasture/fodder resources in Sri
Lanka by Premaratne and Premalal, 2008 is available as a FAO
document at: http://www. Sri lanka; agpc; fao; country profiles
and at:http:www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/counprof/srilanka/
srilanka.htm
Many research publications are available in the literature on
improved forages in Sri Lanka. However, in spite of extensive
research, production of improved pasture is not practiced to any
significant extent by smallholder farmers due to various
30 Subasinghe & Abeygunawardena
limitations. These limitations are reported to be due to the
unavailability of land, lack of inputs, lack of establishment and
management experience, low awareness of improved forage
technology and poor animal production outcome. However,
among middle level holdings and large farms, there is a trend for
improved pasture and fodder utilization (Premaratne & Premalal,
2008).
Other animal nutritionists also have pointed out that poor
nutrition of the dairy stock in this country has been regarded for
decades as one of the significant limitations for improvement of
national milk production (Serasinghe, 2008). Ruminant feeding
systems in the country are based mainly on the agro climatic
zones and depend mostly on natural forages available in the
given region. Traditional cattle and buffalo management in Sri
Lanka has used these resources for centuries, for the sustenance
of livestock. Generally, only forage crops and weeds grown on
uncultivated lands are available for grazing. The natural
grasslands include dry zone villus, coconut lands, road sides,
jungle-lands, uncultivated or off-season paddy fields.
Dairy farming has been further constrained by the seasonal
fluctuation in the quality and quantity of forages available,
depending on the distribution of rainfall in each region or zone.
During the monsoon season rains, there is usually an abundant
growth of grass, but as the season advances towards the dry
season quality and quantity of forage supply decreases and re-
growth of grass commences only with the onset of the next
season rains. Farmers in the dry zone are adversely affected by
acute shortage of green forages due to prolonged droughts
frequently experienced. Under such circumstances, farmers have
to depend on conserved forages, crop residues and agro-
industrial byproducts to sustain the production level of the cows.
It may be pointed out that half a million ha of coconut land
available in the county is a good resource for crop-stock
integrated dairy production. Another untapped pasture resource
is the water logged or inundated paddy lands which are not
presently cultivated, due to soil acidity or high salinity, in some of
the districts (Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota). Natural
grasses and weeds growing in these lands are available for
grazing throughout the year and is particularly suitable for
buffalo production.
2.3 Buffalo as a Dairy animal in Sri Lanka
River buffalo has been undisputedly accepted as a good dairy
animal in Asia and in some of the European countries such as
Italy, Belgium and Bulgaria in more recent times. This is because
the buffalo has several advantages over dairy cattle for milk
production under varying environmental situations. This applies
well to the environmental, climatic and management conditions
10
29
Cross bred
Local
Pure bred
61
Cattle
Figure 1. Proportions of Upgraded and Indigenous cattle and buffaloes in Sri Lanka
Source: Ibrahim et al, 1999
prevailing in the South Asian region including Sri Lanka. Proof of
this can be seen from the success of India and Pakistan who have
taken advantage of this and used primarily the buffalo as a dairy
animal in their countries. Approximately 13% of the world's milk
production comes from the buffalo and about 90% of it is
produced in South Asia. The proportion of buffalo milk produced
in India, Pakistan and Nepal are 57%, 77% and 70% respectively.
In Sri Lanka, the lack of good quality forages and non availability
of it round the year is a severe handicap faced by dairy farmers
particularly in the Dry and Dry Intermediate zones in the country.
The buffalo has the unique capacity to utilize poor quality coarse
forages effectively in comparison to dairy cattle (Sebastian et al,
1970), with 5% higher digestibility of crude fiber and at 4-5%
higher efficiency in utilization of metabolic energy for milk
production (Mudgal, 1999). This is due to a combination of
several factors such as higher intake of dry matter and longer
duration of feed material retained in the digestive tract. The
variety of micro-flora present in the buffalo rumen is more
favorable for the digestion of low quality fibrous feeds. Further,
the buffalo has a large and stronger rumen, well developed
salivary glands and the ability to absorb and excrete large
amounts of water. Besides, it has also the ability to utilize a wide
variety of plant material such as reeds and aquatic weeds
available in water logged marshy lands (Perera et al, 2005). The
buffalo could therefore efficiently utilize coarse forages
including crop residues available in the environment and produce
about 5-10 liters milk/day rich in butter fat content (6-10%), and
higher total solids than cow milk. Higher yields could be
achieved with better feeding and management. Buffalo is
relatively resistant to diseases except highly infectious
conditions like Haemorrhagic septicaemia and Foot and Mouth
disease. Incidence of mastitis in the buffalo is very low in relation
to dairy cows (Wanasinghe et al, 1985).
Crossbreeding Lanka buffalo with exotic river breeds such as
Murrah have shown great promise in increasing the production
potential. While the Lanka buffalo and Murrah buffalo under Sri
Lankan conditions have produced 355 liters/lactation and 1,317
liters/lactation respectively, the crossbreds or F1 animals (50%
Murrah) have given 966 L/lactation, while back crosses (75%
Murrah) have given 1,215 L/lactation. Progressive increase in
milk yields have been reported with increase in level of exotic
blood (Jalatge, 2002). The other advantage of the buffalo is that
the Lanka buffalo can be graded up to 100 percent exotic level
with no adverse effect of environment, even under dry zone
conditions, unlike temperate crosses of dairy cows under similar
situations. The only disadvantage in the buffalo is the late
maturity and rather sluggish breeding habit that she is known to
possess. However, with improved feeding and management, they
6
25
Cross bred
Local
Pure bred
69
Buffalo
 Dairy industry in Sri Lanka 31

Table 1 Cattle and Buffalo population: Changing trend in the last decade (1998 - 2007)

Type of livestock 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Cattle
Milk Milking 219,300 221,700 213,600 214,600 207,110 211,600 216,050 222,300 229,230 238,610
cows No milk 283,800 286,800 280,400 281,000 271,124 277,400 284,420 288,570 295,840 295,380

Other cows 225,200 223,700 210,300 210,200 202,690 207,600 211,640 215,620 220,990 220,550
Bulls 187,500 190,300 180,000 181,100 174,733 178,800 182,290 185,720 189,110 189,650
Calves 262,600 269,000 263,300 266,400 257,091 263,100 266,500 272,810 279,480 278,800
Total cattle 1,178,400 1,191,500 1,147,600 1,153,200 1,112,948 1.138,700 1,160,900 1,185,020 1,124,650 1,222,990

Buffaloes
Milk Milking 53,300 55,400 53,300 53,400 51,656 51,600 53,060 54,620 55,930 57,580
cows No milk 46,500 48,400 46,500 46,700 45,139 44,800 48,150 49,510 50,400 50,980

Other cows 52,400 80,200 75,800 71,000 70,807 70,300 75,660 77,070 78,910 79,790
Bulls 66,700 66,800 62,100 58,800 56,321 56,000 60,200 61,980 63,000 63,760
Calves 67,700 68,800 66,900 60,500 58,165 57,800 64,530 64,670 65,840 66,810
Total buffalo 316,400 319,500 304,500 290,300 282,087 280,500 301,600 307,750 314,080 318,920

Source: Department of Census & Statistics (Revised annual estimates based on census of agriculture 2002; updated in 2005)
Department of Census & Statistics (Agriculture & Environment Division, National Statistics 2003-2007)

Table 2: Province wise distributions of Cattle and Buffalo population in the last decade (1998 - 2007)

Province 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Cattle
Western 58,929 59,585 57,388 57,669 55,656 60,100 57,300 60,590 62,851 62,270
Central 81,866 82,776 79,727 80,116 77,319 81,300 83,200 84,220 83,269 82,540
Southern 76,890 77,744 74,880 75,246 72,619 74,900 75,100 81,000 86,312 86,260
Nothern 158,932 160,699 154,778 155,534 160,096 150,600 160,300 163,700 171,840 178,480
Eastern 172,389 174,306 167,883 168,503 162,814 166,300 175,000 175,100 182,230 186,910
North Eastern 261,113 264,016 254,288 255,530 246,610 254,600 254,900 256,070 259,314 250,650
North Central 190,922 193,046 185,932 186,840 180,318 177,700 182,300 194,839 194,839 194,050
Uva 153,859 155,569 149,836 150,569 145,313 146,500 144,100 147,700 144,403 150,460
Sabaragamuwa 23,499 23,761 22,885 22,997 22,194 26,700 28,500 28,560 29,516 31,370
National total 1,178,400 1,191,500 1,147,600 1,153,200 1,112,948 1,138,700 1,190,900 1,185.020 1,214,574 1,222,990

Buffalo
Western 26,607 26,868 25,607 24,413 23,722 23,670 23,700 24,400 25,400 26,750
Central 26,189 26,447 25,205 24,029 23,349 22,390 24,000 24,200 24,500 24,800
Southern 52,325 52,838 50,357 48,009 46,651 46,600 47,300 48,600 50,800 50,950
Nothern 6,524 6,588 6,278 5,985 5,816 5,740 8,700 8,850 8,850 9,000
Eastern 30,549 30,848 29,400 28,029 27,236 27,190 39,000 39,800 40,500 41,450
North Eastern 87,611 88,468 84,316 80,383 78,109 78,030 80,400 81,000 83,100 83,400
North Central 52,715 53,233 50,733 48,368 46,999 46,970 47,500 48,500 49,600 51,800
Uva 17,463 17,634 16,806 16,023 15,569 15,410 16,000 16,900 15,826 15,070
Sabaragamuwa 16,417 16,577 15,798 15,062 14,636 14,480 14,900 15,400 15,700 15,700
National total 316,400 319,500 304,500 290,300 282,087 280,480 301,500 307,750 314,176 318,920

Source: Department of Census & Statistics, Census of Agriculture 2002

Department of Census & Statistics (Agriculture & Environment Division; Livestock population by types & districts 1998-2007)

Table 3 Distribution of cattle and buffaloes on the basis of Agro-ecological Zones 2007

Zone Cattle (No) Percent (%) Buffalos (No) Percent (%) Total No. Percent (%)

Hill & Mid country 154,150 12.6 27,070 8.5 181,220 11.8
Coconut triangle 301,140 24.6 104,800 32.8 405,940 26.3
Wet lowlands 75,010 6.1 34,350 10.8 109,360 7.1
Dry lowlands 692,690 56.7 152,700 47.9 845,390 54.8
National total 1,222,990 100 318,920 100 1,541,910 100

Source: Department of Census & Statistics (Agriculture & Environment Division; Livestock population by types & districts 1998-2007)
32 Subasinghe & Abeygunawardena
have also been minimized. Buffalo has already become a
popular dairy animal in the sub-urban dairies in Colombo, and
among farmers in Kalutara and Kurunegala districts. Due to the
high demand for buffalo milk and curd in the city centers, low
feeding cost, availability of inexpensive forage materials in the
respective locations, intensive management system is adopted
by the sub-urban dairy farmers. Several recent reports have
pointed out the value of using the buffalo as a dairy animal in Sri
Lanka (Ranawana, 2008; Subasinghe et al, 1998; Subasinghe et
al, 2008).
Research studies conducted under a multidisciplinary
program have shown that simple low cost feeding systems can
be developed using locally available feed resources. The
strategy used was to combine natural grasses, rice straw and
legume tree fodder with urea molasses multi-nutrient blocks
(UMMB) as feed material, for use by smallholder farmers
keeping buffalo under an intensive management system
(Abeygunawardena et al, 1996).
The above is a successful example of a smallholder farming
system available for the predominantly mixed crop-livestock
smallholder farmers in the rain fed and irrigated rice growing
regions of Sri Lanka, particularly in Mahaweli System H and C
and Kurunegala district. In this system buffalo plays a vital
complex role in providing milk, draught power and manure for
the crops. Since the traditional extensive management is under
threat due to intensified land use for crops and settlements, in
this system a Smallholder Intensively Managed Buffalo Unit
(SIMBU) was developed incorporating improved technologies
and integration of crops. This model was subsequently
expanded to groups of other farmers and refined, based on
location specific needs (Abeygunawardena et al, 1996; Perera,
et al, 2005; Subasinghe et al, 2008). The main features of the
SIMBU model were the following:
? Each unit comprised of 3-4 buffaloes and their calves
either purebred (Murrah, Surti, Nili-Ravi) or crosses of
Indian breeds with milk yields of 4-6 liters/cow/ day.
? Low cost housing with hygienic floor, feed and water
troughs and storage space in the loft for crop residues.
? Feeding based on grass and leguminous tree fodder, the
latter grown as alleys and as perimeter fence.
? Utilization of rice straw supplemented with urea
molasses multi-nutrient feed blocks (UMMB).
? Cooling by sprinkling water instead of wallowing, for
heat dissipation.
? Improved oestrus detection, timing of AI service and
timely pregnancy diagnosis.
700
Production
600 Collection
500 Imports
1000MT
400 Consumption
300
200
100
0
1981 1987 1992 1997 1998 2003 2007
YEARS
Figure. 2 Trends in domestic milk production, Collection, Imports
and Consumption (1000 MT), 1981-2007
Source: Adapted from Ibrahim, 1999 and Ranawana, 2008
?Suckling of calves is restricted to twice per day, at milking
times only.
?Improved health care of calves, including strategic de-
worming and vaccination.
?Body condition scoring using a 1-5 scale, as an aid to
appropriate feeding decisions.
?Hygienic milk production and value addition by
conversion to yoghurt, curd and other products.
?Recycling of animal waste and crop residues to provide
mutual benefits.
?Maintenance of simple farm records and their use for
decision making.
2.4 Milk production
The cattle and buffalo population in Sri Lanka which
contributed to dairy production in the country in 1996 was
estimated at 1.64 million and 0.7 million respectively. The
estimated population of milk cows and buffalos was around
700,000 and 235,000 respectively (DCS, 1997; Ibrahim et al,
1999). Since dairy cattle and buffalo production was based on
natural grazing, approximately 70% of cattle and 75% of the
buffaloes are found in the Dry and Intermediate zones. Although
the livestock population data indicate that there has been a decline
in the population, overall milk production has shown an increase
from 275,000 MT to 330,000 MT from 1987 to 1997. This growth
in milk production despite a decrease in the population is attributed
to an increase in the population of crossbred animals (about 40%)
having higher production potential (Ibrahim et al, 1999). More
recent data on the cattle and buffalo population estimates (1998 -
2007) in Sri Lanka does not indicate any significant growth or
decline during the said period (DCS, 2008). The cattle and buffalo
population in 2007 was 1.2 million and 0.32 million respectively
(Table 1)
The domestic milk supply in the country during the 1970s
provided nearly 80% of the country's consumption needs.
However, with the opening of the Sri Lankan economy in 1977 and
the rapid expansion of the human population in the last three
decades, milk consumption in the country increased considerably
(Ranaweera, 2007). Increase in per capita consumption has also
increased during the same period, pushing up the consumption
demand, for example the consumption increased from
13kg/caput/year to 36kg/caput/year from 1981 to 1997 (Ibrahim et
al, 1999).
The domestic milk supply in 2006 contributed only 17% of the
total requirement, while the balance was met through imports. Sri
Lanka has imported around 68,000MT of dairy products in 2006
5 00
45 0 Production
400 Imports
350
300
1000MT
250
200
150
100
50
0
87 91 95 99 03 07
YEARS
Figure. 3 Domestic milk production and imports, 1987-2007
Source: Adapted from Ibrahim et al, 1999, M/L.D. and DAPH Data
Bank, 2007
 Dairy industry in Sri Lanka 33

Table 4 Cattle and buffalo production systems: topography, climate and animal husbandry

Zone Elevation (m) Rainfall (mm) Temerature Animal Types `Husbandry

Range 0C

Hill & Mid country > 450 > 2000 10 - 32 Pure exotic & crosses; Zero grazing small herds;
Some Zebu crosses some tethering
Coconut triangle < 450 1500-2500 21-28 Crosses of exotic breeds Limited grazing; tethered
under coconut palms
Wet lowlands <450 1875-2500 24-35 Same as above Limited grazing; Medium
size herds; Free grazing
large, nomadic herds
Dry lowlands <450 1000-1750 21-38 Indigenous cattle, Zebu Sedentary small herds
cattle & their crosses in irrigated settlements

Source: Ibrahim et al (1999)

Table 5 Annual Milk Production and Collection by the Formal market (1998 2007)

Year Milk Production - Liters ('1000) Milk Collection by Formal Market - Liters ('1000) Milk collected (%)

Cow Buffalo Total Milco PVT Nestle Lanka Other Total

Milk Milk Ltd PVT Ltd collectors collection

1998 147,381 29,707 177,089 53,369 38,293 9,166 100,828 57

1999 149,687 30,197 179,883 47,012 40,079 21,772 108,863 60
2000 151,239 30,210 181,449 43,533 36,897 12,064 92,494 51
2001 152,764 30,263 183,027 50,296 38,600 13,349 102,245 56
2002 152,840 30,354 183,195 47,830 33,480 10,733 92,043 50
2003 156,546 30,258 186,804 45,400 29,802 12,801 88,003 47
2004 159,696 30,600 190,296 49,113 34,101 16,021 99,235 52
2005 161,816 30,925 192,741 48,430 35,000 16,755 100,185 52
2006 164,862 31,648 196,510 53,462 33,224 26,678 113,371 58
2007 169,728 32,280 202,008 54,110 35,602 31,050 120,762 60
Source: Ministry of Livestock development; Department of Animal Production & Health, Data Bank

Table 6 Annual Production, Imports and Availability of Milk and Milk Products, 1998 - 2006

Year Fresh Milk Tinned Milk Condensed Milk Milk Foods

Cow Buffalo Total Availab/ Local Imports Availab/ Local Imports Availab/ Local Imports Availab/
caput Prodn caput Prodn caput Prodn caput
(1000MT) (1000MT) (1000MT) Kg/yr (1000MT) (1000MT) Kg/yr (1000MT) (1000MT) Kg/yr (1000MT) (1000MT) Kg/yr

1998 124.48 25.09 149.57 4.80 8.63 53.56 3.30 4.18 0.26 0.25 1.51 0.32 0.10
1999 126.42 25.50 151.92 4.99 9.52 48.31 3.16 4.24 0.17 0.24 1.54 0.12 0.09
2000 127.74 25.52 153.26 4.96 11.32 56.77 3.73 4.59 0.09 0.25 1.20 0.19 0.08
2001 129.02 25.56 154.58 4.90 15.73 52.13 3.64 4.43 0.08 0.24 1.69 0.14 0.10
2002 129.09 25.64 154.73 5.03 13.67 61.84 3.94 4.42 0.07 0.25 1.74 0.28 0.11
2003 132.22 25.56 157.78 5.47 13.41 63.74 4.10 4.73 0.05 0.24 2.17 0.36 0.13
2004 134.88 25.84 160.72 5.34 13.98 54.02 3.46 5.06 0.16 0.27 2.54 0.38 0.15
2005 136.67 26.12 162.79 5.37 15.73 52.79 3.63 5.27 0.01 0.27 2.57 0.24 0.14
2006 139.34 26.73 166.07 5.33 15.70 68.10 4.21 4.80 - - 2.79 0.16 0.15

Department of Census & Statistics (Agriculture & Environment Division, National Statistics 1985 - 2006)

amounting to approximately Rs. 15 million (Ministry of
Livestock Development, 2007). The total estimated
consumption in 2006 was 640,000MT. Based on the human
population of 19.8 million, individual consumption in 2006 was
about 32 kg/caput/year. According to available statistics the
estimated annual milk production from cows and buffaloes in
Sri Lanka has grown from around 177 million liters in 1998 to
202 million liters in 2007. This increase reflects a total growth
of 25 million liters (i.e. 14%) or an annual growth of 1.6%
during the said period (Table 5, 6 & 7).
34 Subasinghe & Abeygunawardena

Table 7 Estimated Milk Production and Imports to Sri Lanka 1998 - 2007 Mahadevan, P. (1951). Genetic improvement in milk
('1000 MT/year) yield due to selection in a herd of Sinhala cattle.
Tropical Agriculturist, 107: 161-169
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (4+6)
Mahadevan, P. (1952). The performance of Sinhala
Year Cow Buffalo Total * Collected by Imports *** Total
Milk * Milk * Processors ** (LME) consumption cattle. Tropical Agriculturist, CVII : (1,4)233-238.
Mahadevan, P. (1953). Crossbreeding experiences
1998 147 30 177 101 370 547 with Sinhala cattle at Karagoda-Uyangoda.
1999 150 30 180 109 311 491 Tropical Agriculturist, 109: 123-127.
2000 151 30 181 93 349 530 Mahadevan, P. (1970). Genetic methods of improving
2001 153 30 183 102 330 513 cattle production in Ceylon. In: R. R. Appadurai
2002 153 30 183 92 411 595 (ed) The development of the cattle industry in
2003 157 30 187 88 394 581
Ceylon; p.28-36.
2004 160 31 190 99 349 540
2005 162 31 193 100 356 549 Ministry of Livestock and Rural Industries (1995).
2006 165 32 197 109 443 640 Policy and Program; Colombo
2007 170 32 202 114 410 612 Mudgal, V.D. (1999). Milking Buffalo. In:
Smallholder Dairying in the Tropics (eds) L. Felvy,
Source: Ranawana, 2008,* Dept. of Census and Statistics; ** Ministry of Livestock and C. Chantalakhana, ILIRI, Nairobe, Kenya, pp.
Development; DAPH: *** Calculated as LME from Customs returns 101-114.
Perera, B.M.A.O., Abeygunawardena, H., Vale, W.G.
and C. Chantalakhana. (2005). Buffalo in Livestock
Changes in milk production, collection, consumption and imports from and Wealth Creation: Improving the Husbandry of
1981 to 2007 are shown in Fig 2. Domestic production has failed to expand Animals Kept by Poor People in Developing
the market share to meet the country's demand. Hence, the level of imports Countries, (eds.) Owen, E., Katalya, A., Jayasuriya,
has increased (more than double) in the last several years, showing an N. and Smith, T. Livestock Production Program,
increase in the dependency on imports (Fig. 3). Natural Resources International Limited, United
Kingdom, pp. 451-471.
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