Nineteen dairy farmers from across Sri Lanka have been selected for a fully government-funded training programme in India, aimed at enhancing local milk production capabilities through modern techniques and farm management practices.
A group of 19 dairy farmers representing different regions and political affiliations across Sri Lanka have been chosen to participate in a specialised training initiative in India. The farmers met with Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne at the ministry on Friday before their scheduled departure on August 16, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation.
The training programme, fully financed by the Indian government at the request of the Prime Minister's Office, will be hosted at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Anand, Gujarat. Participants will receive instruction covering milk production technologies, dairy farm management, value chain development, government assistance schemes, and livestock nutrition practices. The programme also includes study visits to Amul (GCMMF), a major dairy cooperative recognised globally for its operations.
The selection process emphasised geographic diversity and political representation to ensure participants come from across the island. The Indian government has signalled its commitment to expanding the initiative, with plans to offer the same training to additional batches of Sri Lankan dairy farmers in subsequent phases, potentially increasing the total number of beneficiaries from the programme.
