Livelihood options for Batticaloa dairy farmers

A high-ranking official from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) inaugurated on Tuesday a milk chilling centre in Vellaveli, Batticaloa, on the site where the original structure was completely destroyed in 1990.

As part of the project, through a grant to international NGO World Concern and in partnership with Milco Pvt Ltd, USAID constructed 40 cattle sheds and five milk collection points, provided 300 milk cans and trained 160 farmers in feeding technologies, animal health and business planning. In all, nearly 2,000 households in the area have benefited, according to a USAID press release.

“USAID hopes that by supporting the livelihoods of these farmer families it can help build confidence and restore normalcy to this formerly conflict-affected area,” Michael E. Hess, Assistant Administrator for USAID’s Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance in Washington, was quoted as saying at the opening.

Joining Hess at the opening ceremony were Udayakumar Uthayasridar, Velaveli Divisional Secretary, H.M.K.B. Hellarewa, Chairman of Milco, Rhumi Jauffer, Working Director for Milco and Mallathamdhi Thushyanthan, Regional Programme Manager for World Concern.

The dairy sector holds great promise for improving the livelihoods of thousands of Sri Lanka farmers throughout the island, especially in conflict-affected areas such as the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee, Hess said. “What we’ve done here in Vellaveli with World Concern and Milco is a good start,” Hess said. “But for sustainable results, the dairy sector in eastern Sri Lanka needs more private investment. That will increase milk production even further – and prices for farmers as well.”