Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recognises dairy co-operative for outstanding support of Sri Lankan dairy communities

Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka, the company behind Anchor, has been recognised at the 2016 Best Corporate Citizen Awards presented by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for its dairy development programme.

The dairy co-operative was recognised with a Merit Certificate for delivering an industry-leading and pioneering programme which creates economic prosperity for dairy farmers by improving milk production through training and education. The programme also enriches the lives of people in dairy communities through water and sanitation, infrastructure development and community engagement initiatives.

Managing Director of Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka, Sunil Sethi, said Fonterra is a global dairy co-operative focused on sustaining the communities where it operates.

“We’re committed to making Sri Lanka a healthier and happier nation, and aim to uplift our dairy communities through sustainable initiatives that will have a long-lasting and positive impact. So far, we’ve improved the lives of over 30,000 people across eight rural dairy farming communities located in three provinces of Sri Lanka.”

To carry out the programme of activity in these dairy farming communities, Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka works with partners Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement and Kansarmen Foundation, and is also supported by local authorities, development societies, industry partners and the co-operative’s own employees who volunteer their time.

“Without our partners and their support, putting this programme into place wouldn’t have been possible. This honour proves that meaningful change in the local dairy industry is possible, by placing a real focus on dairy farmer families who are the backbone of our industry,” said Mr Sethi.

Fonterra’s dairy development programme was launched in 2014. Its beneficiaries are local dairy farmer communities who supply more than 10 million litres of fresh milk each year for Anchor and Anchor Newdale dairy products such as UHT and flavoured milk, yoghurts and curd.

The Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Project Awards is the leading national recognition platform for sustainability projects in Sri Lanka, and recognise entities who have undertaken outstanding projects investing in activities that benefit the environment (Planet) and society at large (People).