COLOMBO – A US$ 27 million partnership agreement between the US embassy in Colombo and the Sri Lankan Department of Agriculture that aims to double the milk production of Sri Lanka dairy farmers participating in the US Department of Agriculture’s ‘Food for Progress’ was finalized on Monday (13).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties was signed in Colombo on Monday, with US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, attending the signing ceremony.
The ‘Food for Progress’ project was launched in close partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka in late 2017. A statement from the US embassy in Sri Lanka said the project has already benefited 25,000 Sri Lankan dairy farmers, increasing their milk production by an average of 68% to date. It said an estimated 80,000 Sri Lankans will ultimately receive assistance from the program as part of the United States’ continued efforts to support food security and economic growth in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Chung, noting that the $27 million contribution was a prime example of the United States’ multi-year commitment to promoting sustainable economic development in Sri Lanka, said “Not only is this support significantly improving production for the country’s dairy industry – more important now than ever – it is also equipping Sri Lankan dairy farmers with the resources necessary to compete, grow, and thrive.”
Food for Progress’ Market-Oriented Dairy Project partners with a US non-profit organization called the International Executive Service Corps 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 provide better access to financing, so farmers can expand their businesses and reach new markets.
In addition to assisting Sri Lankan farmers, the US Department of Agriculture last year contributed US $26 million to a school nutrition program that benefitted over 453,000 Sri Lankans across the country, in coordination with Save the Children. Taken together, USDA initiatives to promote food security are benefitting over half a million Sri Lankans, ensuring schoolchildren have essential nutrition, and helping farmers increase productivity.
-ENCL