All Island Dairy Association commits support to boost local production

THE fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the All Island Dairy Association (AIDA) was recently held at The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in Colombo, with Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha as Chief Guest.

- 

Speaking at the AGM, AIDA President Asoka Bandara thanked the Government for removing the Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on fresh milk from the last Budget.

He explained the role of the AIDA, which represents the country’s leading dairy collectors and product processors, producers such as largeand medium-scale farms, service providers of the value chain, as well as milk importers.

He stressed that the Association as the main focal point is fully committed towards the country’s dairy development process and is a willing partner to support the Government in achieving these objectives in collaboration with public sector institutions and Governmental authorities.

AIDA stakeholders collect over 65% of the local milk produced predominantly by the rural dairy farming community, which produces the bulk of Sri Lankan fresh milk. Furthermore, some members have also invested and managed largeand medium-scale dairy farms and also represented by members involved in the importation of dairy equipment, powders, and other relevant inputs.