US launches dairy project in Batticaloa

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) signed an agreement with a major farmer society in the Batticaloa District to expand milk production in the East and raise income of 1,200 farmers. The USAID is partnering with the Manmunai West Livestock Breeders Cooperative Society to increase the quantity and improve the quality of milk production in 24 villages. Farmers will receive training and technical assistance to improve milk production.

The project will also link farmers to the dairy industry and ensure that local farmers have a consistent buyer for their milk at fair prices.

USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn said USAID is supporting the dairy sector in the East because we see tremendous potential to individual farmers and to the national economy. "Sri Lanka imports about 80 percent of the milk consumed. There is a large domestic market for increased milk production. Farmers who produce high quality milk need to be connected with the milk processors to sell more milk at higher prices, increasing their income and bring more economic activity to their communities."