Gallery

An inaugural ceremony was held by the Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture for the opening of 19 cyber centers as part of their internet-based agriculture extension program. This is a pioneering initiative that introduced innovative practices in developing the agriculture sectors and promoting economic growth. Gracing the event were H.E. the President Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse, Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, and USAID Mission Director, Mr. James Bednaralong with other Sri Lanka and US Government representatives.

USAID supported Ag-Biz East 2011, an agricultural trade exhibition organized by the National Agribusiness Council (NAC);  attracted thousands to Ampara. The exhibition was held at the Public Grounds in Ampara on 27th and 28th May 2011. Its aim was to strengthen and create economic growth opportunities in the East by serving as a platform for stakeholders of agricultural sector to network, foment sustainable partnerships, showcase national agribusinesses in the East, introduce technologies to farmers, provided farmers with knowledge and training.

USAID/CORE supported the development and implementation of three home gardening projects, for groups of recently settled or conflict-affected low-income farmers from the Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara districts. Over 1,100 beneficiaries were supported through this project which was completed in March 2010.

USAID/CORE joined hands with Anoma Agro Based Products in 2009 to meet their requirement for high-quality sorted and graded papaya, to meet the demands of export and domestic markets. The project is working with Anoma through a cost-shared grant to develop its out-grower program to a total of 3,000 farmers from the Ampara and Moneragala Districts.

USAID/CORE has linked farmers of the Mahasen Village Development Organization (MVDO) in Anuradhapura with Jaykay Marketing Ltd, the supermarket subsidiary of John Keells. Training on post harvest technologies were provided to xxx farmers who now provides quality B-Onions to Jaykay Marketing.

USAID supported 650 famers in the Anuradhapura District by linking them with Alli Company (Pvt) Ltd and providing them technical training on land preparation and black gram cultivation and planting methodologies, in turn leading to an increase in their incomes.

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USAID/CORE partnered with Adamjee Lukmanjee & Sons in 2009 to expand their maize supply base, in turn increasing incomes of farming communities in the Trincomalee District. Maize seeds were distributed and post harvest training were provided to the farmers. Despite adverse weather conditions, including heavy rains during the planting season, land preparation and drought during the maha season, a considerable number of farmers were able to cultivate successfully.

USAID/CORE linked Plenty Foods, a subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits Ltd (CBSL), with farmers in Kebithigollewa in Anuradhapura, in 2009 to encourage the cultivation of soybean, a plant which does not need much water, during the 'Yala' season, as an additional source of income. In 2010 the project was also introduced to famers in Trincomalee.

USAID/CORE is working with five local entrepreneurs from the Monaragela District to establish a supplier network of 300 farmers to produce high-quality dehydrated lime. The project is also providing training on best crop management practices and setting up of five dehydration kilns on a cost shared basis. Adamjee Lukmanjee and Sons Ltd., which exports dehydrated lime to the Middle Eastern markets, will purchase 100% of the production of lime from the entrepreneurs.

USAID/CORE partnered with with Adamjee, to initiate a sesame cultivation/market linkage project for the Yala season in the Trincomalee and Anuradhapura districts in order to support a continuous income stream for farmers who participated in maize and black gram programs.

USAID/CORE joined hands with Deshan International Imports and Exports (Pvt) Ltd. in 2010 to provide support to establish a community based deep sea fishing operation and setting up a seafood processing facility in the Trincomalee district through which 400 fishermen from 9 fisheries societies in Trincomalee will be supported through training, market linkages and necessary equipment which will in turn lead to an increase in their incomes through increased harvest.

USAID/CORE supported Ag-Biz East 2010, Agricultural Trade Exhibition, which attracted nearly 5,000 visitors to Trincomalee. About 50 companies, government institutions, and farmer organizations also participated in the event which was heldin July, under the theme "Reawakening East". It was the first ever Ag-Biz East to be held in the East, providing farmers an opportunity that they were deprived of as a result of a three-decade long conflict.

USAID/CORE organized a Career Day entitled "Connect to Your Future" in November 2009, in Trincomalee where over 400 opportunities for job-oriented training and internships were offered. The event, which attracted over 2,500 youth to Trincomalee, was aimed at helping youth from the East gain access to improved job skills and employment.

USAID/CORE partnered with Aitken Spence Hotels, to provide on-the-job training/internship opportunities for youth living in the Eastern Province conflict affected and bordering areas which would lead to improved employability. As a part of this initiative, a batch of 24 candidates who were selected through the USAID/CORE supported Career Day in 2009 completed their training.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting farmers in the Eastern Province, Anuradhapura and Monaragala Districts to improve their livelihoods through teaching basics in business which will develop their entrepreneur skills.

USAID CORE partnered with Pelwatte Dairy Industries Ltd. (PDIL) in 2009 to develop a network of dairy producers in the Monaragala and Ampara Districts. The project also plans to distribute 181 hybrid cattle to farmers in the two districts and assist in constructing 62 cattle sheds.