Analytical study on milk production in Batticaloa district compared with national milk production of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Food security is the most challenging problem faced by almost all the countries in the world. Even though Sri Lanka is an agricultural country food scarcity is an issue in recent decades. There are many varieties of protein rich food available in the food industry. Though the Milk plays a prominent role to fulfill the needs of protein of Sri Lankan diet. The milk production is not self-sufficient in Sri Lanka. Average national milk production can be increased by boosting the district milk production level where ever possible. There are most favourable conditions available for cattle farming in Batticaloa District comparing with other Districts of Sri Lanka. Therefore present study was focused on analyzing present status of milk production in Batticaloa District, comparing Batticaloa District milk production with average national milk production and identifying the ways and means to improve the milk production in Batticaloa District to the average national milk production. 15 veterinary ranges from Batticaloa District were categorized into urban, suburban and rural areas to conduct the study. Primary data were collected through interviews and questionnaire with the officials of the Department of Livestock and Veterinary services centre etc. Secondary data were collected from annual reports of Department of Animal Production and Health and census reports etc. Data were collected through Random sampling method and analyzed with the use of SPSS version 22.0.

Results revealed that non-descriptive breeds (67.82%) higher than the European breeds (21.46%) and Indian breeds (13.04%) in all three areas of the study location. Management system shows extensive system (80.4%) high in rural area comparing with semi intensive system (14%) and intensive system (6%). Similarly, suburban area also with higher percentage of extensive system (58%). On the other hand semi intensive system (52%) high in urban area. Total population of around 113000 cows present in the study location in which nearly 19290 non-productive cows are available, the rest are the productive cows in which only 69850 milking cows at present are available rest are non-milking cows at present which is around 21300. The milk production in Batticaloa District is lower (16%) compare to average national milk production. Careful breed selection and good management practices will increase the percentage of milking cows. Flies and tick control practices can reduce those losses of milking cows and the yield. Result suggests that the milk production in Batticaloa District is lower than

the average national milk production. Improved practices can increase the milk production in Batticaloa District which can lead to achieve average milk production with the average national milk production.