A significant number of dairy cattle farms, totaling 14,294, were closed in Sri Lanka between January and September of the previous year (2023), according to the Livestock Planning Directorate of the Animal Production and Health Department.
During this period, the closure of farms was reported in various provinces, with 6,961 in the Uva Province, 964 in the North-West Province, 894 in the Eastern Province, 723 in the North-Central Province, 665 in the Southern Province, 2,289 in the Central Province, and 847 in the Sabaragamuwa Province.
Specifically, 376 cattle farms in the Jaffna district and 31 farms in the Mullaitivu district were closed during this period. The Livestock Planning Office indicated that although 17,843 new cattle farms were planned, only 3,549 new farms were established.
Badulla district reported the highest number of existing cattle farms, totaling 5,653. However, the Uva Provincial Directorate of the Animal Production and Health Department stated that 8,775 cattle farms are active in the Badulla district.
The decline in dairy farms has been attributed to various factors, including cattle theft, pasture-related issues, inadequate supervision, financial constraints, non-implementation of initiatives to support dairy cow management, and a lack of guidance and fair pricing for liquid milk.
