January 21, 2010

Eastern Sri Lankan farmers to benefit from US dairy programme

Dairy farmers in Eastern Sri Lanka will get technical know how to improve milk production and also be linked to agri-business firms, in a programme supported by the US.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a deal with Manmunai West Livestock Breeders Cooperative Society to increase the quantity and quality of milk in 24 villages in the Batticaloa District.

In July 2009, USAID had committed Rs429 million (US$9.31 million) to work with 4,000 farmers in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and eastern Polonnaruwa Districts.

The three-year programme also includes investment by Land O’Lakes, an American agricultural company, and CIC Agri-Businesses of Sri Lanka, which are expanding dairy production and developing dairy processing facilities.

USAID’s Rebecca Cohn said farmers who produce high quality milk need to be connected with the milk processors so they can sell more milk at higher prices, increasing their incomes and bring more economic activity to their communities.

The agency said farmers will receive training to improve milk production and maintain a consistent quality.