June 14, 2022

Sri Lanka's dairy industry receives US$27 million from USDA initiative

US$27 million has been allocated to the Sri Lankan Department of Agriculture as part of the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) "Food for Progress" initiative, a new project that aims to double Sri Lanka's milk output, Ada Derana reported.

The US Embassy in Colombo said the project, in close partnership with the Sri Lankan government, has already benefitted 25,000 dairy farmers in Sri Lanka, with a 68% increase in milk output. 

As part of the US' ongoing efforts to support Sri Lanka's food security and economic growth, an estimated 80,000 Sri Lankans will benefit from this programme.

The US Embassy and the Sri Lankan Department of Agriculture finalised their partnership agreement on Monday, after unforeseen delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said the $27 million contribution exemplifies the US' multi-year commitment to promoting sustainable economic development in Sri Lanka. This assistance also provides Sri Lankan dairy farmers with the resources they need to compete, grow, and thrive.

The Market-Oriented Dairy Project of Food for Progress collaborates with the International Executive Service Corps, a US-based non-profit organisation, to help Sri Lankan farmers increase dairy production by providing them with the skills they need to improve farm operations and management. It will also make it easier for farmers to obtain financing, allowing them to expand their businesses and reach new markets.

In addition to assisting Sri Lankan farmers, the UDA, in collaboration with Save the Children, contributed US$26 million to a school nutrition programme that benefited over 453,000 Sri Lankans across the country last year.

USDA food security initiatives are benefiting over half a million Sri Lankans, ensuring essential nutrition for schoolchildren, and assisting farmers in increasing productivity, according to the statement.

-      Ada Derana