Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka has partnered with the National Agribusiness Development Program (NADeP) to help smallholder dairy farmer families to improve farm productivity and profitability through a Rs. 28.5 million project.
NADeP is implemented by the Development and Special Projects Division under the Presidential Secretariat and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It aims to contribute to poverty eradication and promote sustainable livelihoods for rural farmers.
Director of NADeP, Dr. Yasantha Mapatuna said, “Our approach involves connecting the industry expertise and competencies of companies such as Fonterra with the dairy farmers at a grass roots level, helping them to improve on farm productivity, resulting in better income and livelihood,” she said. As a part of the project’s first stage, 200 farmer families in Doluwa, Wilaththawa and Gampaha will receive a 50 percent grant to invest in grass choppers and milking machines which are critical to building economically sustainable dairy farming families.
An impact assessment revealed that the grants could help achieve an increase in milk volumes per farm and subsequent enhanced farmer profitability. Managing Director of Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka, Sunil Sethi said that Fonterra is excited to partner with the National Agribusiness Development Program. “Through this partnership we will provide our farmer suppliers with the tools they need to reach their maximum potential and encourage them to employ a more entrepreneurial mind-set.”