Strategies being implemented to assist dairy industry milk supply

Strategies are now being implemented as the Agriculture Ministry is currently assisting the dairy industry to increase milk production.

Permanent Secretary Colonel Mason Smith said demand for milk and milk products have exceeded the current supply.

He said they have implemented strategies to try and increase milk production which involves improving genetics, pastures and hygiene in the dairy industry which is a demand driven approach projects for the dairy industry.

He said they are also getting the subsidy for the farm gate price of milk that farmers supply to the Fiji dairy company which totals $2 million that was provided for last year and this year.

He said for every litre of milk that the dairy farmer produces, the government provides an extra 17 cents as an incentive to increase milk supply and to improve farming practices.

His comment comes after the Chairman of Nalowai Dairy Farmers Co-operative in Naitasiri, Vijendra Prakash said earlier today that local farmers supplying milk to Fiji Dairy Limited are facing hardship due to the increase in costs.

Fiji Dairy Limited has also said that a decrease in supply of milk from local farmers has led to the shortage of Rewa Life milk.


Story by: Sneh Chaudhry