Nestlé Lanka PLC said it has paid Rs.4 billion, approximately US $ 31 million to the local farming community to procure raw materials such as fresh milk and coconut for its food and beverage products during 2012.

The firm has about 23, 000 local faming families who supply raw materials on a regular basis. Being country’s largest private sector collector of fresh milk, Nestlé Lanka procures fresh milk from over 18,000 farmers every day.

As the world’s largest exporter of coconut milk powder, Nestlé also contributes to the livelihood of 5,000 coconut farming families across the country by way of coconut purchases amounting to 50 million coconuts a year. “I’m extremely proud of our landmark contribution in uplifting the livelihoods of Sri Lankan farmers this year and pleased we have proved once again that it is possible to do well by doing good” Nestlé Lanka Managing Director Alois Hofbauer said.

The company has worked closely with relevant authorities over the years to assist local dairy farmers in increasing the quantity and quality of their yield; thereby helping to reduce the country’s dependency on milk powder imports.

Nestlé is hailed widely across Sri Lanka as the ’local multinational’ for its significant contributions towards developing the country’s rural sector.