Press Releases
U.S. Government Partnership with World Vision and Private Sector Provides New Livelihoods and Markets for Farmers All Over Sri Lanka
September 10, 2008 - Colombo: US Ambassador Robert Blake joined with representatives of World Vision to recognize the achievements of 70 Sri Lankan farmers who are participating in a joint project supported by World Vision and the United States Department of Agriculture. The program, which integrates farming with sustainable technology, has helped independent previously low-income farmers from all areas of Sri Lanka improve agricultural efficiency, increase yields, and thereby gain greater revenues and profits for themselves and their families. The farmers are working with specialists from World Vision, the University of Peradeniya, and the Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture to develop and employ new techniques and tools such rainwater catchment systems, animal husbandry technology, and crop diversification. Additionally, under the initiative, Cargill’s and MILCO have created a partnership with the farmers to bring their products directly to market.
According to Ambassador Blake, “this initiative is a great public private partnership that uses U.S. Government funds ($7.2 million), World Vision’s overall project management and leadership; project design help from the University of Peradeniya and the Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture; and a private sector partnership with Cargill’s and Milco that provides direct access to markets, thereby eliminating middleman and significantly raising the prices received by the farmers.
The seventy farmers honored at the September 5th event represent only a small percentage of the more than 12,000 Sri Lankan farmers who have benefited from the initiative. To date, 6,000 farmers have participated in the World Vision/USDA joint program, and an additional 6,000 farmers have benefited from the direct marketing partnership with Cargill’s and MILCO.
Ambassador Blake added, “I commend World Vision for conceiving and carrying out this project, and for working with its team of partners to help these 6,000 Sri Lankan farmers learn the keys to sustainable, integrated farming and thereby improve significantly their livelihoods.”