USAID and Northern Farms launch new agri-processing unit in Vavuniya
View(s):Manpreet Anand, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), opened a new agricultural processing factory in Marukarampalai, Vavuniya last week.
Visiting USAID official Manpreet Anand, at a processing factory.
This project was established through a public-private partnership between USAID, the development agency of the US government, and Northern Farms, a Sri Lankan agribusiness organisation, according to a US Embassy media release.
The new factory is equipped with modern machinery, increasing the production capacity of the plant and introducing higher value-added consumer goods commonly used in local households such as roasted rice flour, pounded black gram and sesame oil. This will provide permanent employment opportunities for conflict-affected communities and boost incomes of thousands of local farmers who will supply the factory with rice, millet (kurakkan), black gram, and sesame seeds, it said.
“We are happy to help develop and expand such dedicated and hard-working small local businesses like Northern Farms,” said Mr. Anand at the opening. USAID and Northern Farms have committed more than Rs. 66 million to the partnership. USAID’s contribution of Rs. 32.2 million financed the purchase of processing equipment, vehicles, a waste water management system, packaging materials, and an initial stock of raw materials. The remaining investment from Northern Farms funded construction of the factory and office building, the connection of high voltage electricity, and the purchase of both land and equipment.
Additional investment will be used to set-up a waste water system for the food processing facility, an industry best practice. In addition, USAID is collaborating with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to provide assistance in financial and human resource management, market development, food processing, and occupational safety to strengthen Northern Farm’s capacity for sustainable growth, the release said.
During his visit, Mr. Anand also laid the foundation for a new hostel and storage facilities at the Sivanarul Vocational Training and Production Centre (SVTPC), which provides employment opportunities to women affected by the conflict in Kilinochchi.