Regional Focus
Component 2 : Competitiveness of Agriculturally-Based (and Other) Value Chains
Overall Objective of this Component: Improve the competitiveness of agriculturally-based and other value chains, which benefit large numbers of traditionally underserved populations in target areas which link them to growth opportunities, including domestic and/or export markets.
The Strategies of this Component to achieve the above objective are as follows:
- Support private sector partners in meeting the market demand by increasing and sustaining supply of raw materials or products produced in the target regions and supporting and linking microenterprises to the value chain.
- Improve productivity and value addition in selected value chains through targeted interventions (STTA, training, technologies, inputs, etc).
Background: Given that agriculture accounts for 17% of Sri Lanka's GDP and 48% of employment in the former conflict-affected regions, much of the value chain assistance that AECOM will provide through USAID/CORE will necessarily be focused on agricultural or related value chains. There is, however, important work needed on non-agricultural sectors in order to serve disadvantaged populations and link firms and vulnerable populations to growth opportunities. Significant challenges continue in the post conflict areas due to fragmented or destroyed value chains resulting from both conflict and the tsunami. The local community is still not well organized and thus has not been able to provide quality and quantities of products to meet demands. Some SMEs have started to engage in food processing, though few are export-oriented due to their lack of competitiveness and access to and information about foreign markets. This situation has begun to improve. Though the private sector was reluctant to invest in year 1 with the cessation of hostilities in 2009, year 2 has seen an increase in interest by the private sector to invest and operate in the East.
Projects
1. Dairy Development Eluwan (Pvt) Ltd
2. Dairy Development with Pelwatte Dairy Industries (Pvt) Ltd
3. Lime Cultivation and Dehydration Project with Adamjee Lukmanjee & Sons Ltd
4. Papaya Cultivation with Anoma Agro Based Products (Pvt) Ltd
5. Software Development Center with Advanced Information Consulting (Pvt) Ltd
6. Turmeric Cultivation and Market Linkage with Lanka Spices (Pvt) Ltd
7. Black Gram Cultivation with Alli Company
8. Fruit and Vegetable Market Linkage Program with JayKay Marketing Services Ltd
9. Sesame Cultivation with Adamjee Lukmanjee and Sons Ltd
10. Soybean Cultivation Pilot with Plenty Foods Ltd
11. Vegetable Seed Production with AgStar Ltd
12. Fish Processing with Deshan International Imports and Exports (Pvt) Ltd
13. Mushroom Cultivation and Processing Plant with Ceylon Mushroom Company
Supporting the Fisheries Sector
USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn’s visit to beneficiaries of the Community Based Fisheries Project with Deshan International.
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Standards Workshop
Workshop organized together with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on “International Quality Requirements for Market Penetration’ to assist local enterprises in increasing their quality and competitiveness.
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Creating linkages
The beneficiaries of the USAID/CORE Black Gram Cultivation with Alli Company project have harvested their crops and successfully increased their incomes beyond the project targets.
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Cattle Distribution
Farmers from the Marumalarchy Social Elevation Organization (MSEO) dairy farmer society in Horabokka received cows under the Dairy Development with Pelwatte Dairy project.
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Establishing a Software Development Center
With financial and technical support from USAID/ CORE, a new software product development center, Advanced Information Consulting (Pvt) Ltd., was established in Akkaraipattu, in the Ampara District. This is the first time a multinational IT company has opened a major production center in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province. The center will create employment opportunities for youth graduating from local educational facilities in the Eastern Province
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Linking Farmers in the East with New Opportunities
U.S Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis and USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn met with beneficiaries of the Papaya Cultivation Project with Anoma Agro Based Products, in Monaragala.
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Linking Farmers in Anuradhapura to New Markets
USAID/CORE assisted in establishing the Ulpatha Fruit and Vegetable Purchasing and Sales Center, creating a central collection location for Kebithigollawa area farmers.
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Sector Assessments
USAID/CORE supported the study of 6 industry sectors including dairy, horticulture, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and logistics to identify private sector growth opportunities in the East. The recommendations of the 6 sector assessments were released to the public at an event held in Colombo, attended by key stakeholders from the government, private sector, and other industries.
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Increase Milk Supply to Processing Facilities in Batticaloa
Partnering with CIC Mahaweli Livestock & Dairy, USAID/ CORE assisted in establishing a dairy farmer network of 350 for CIC to launch a new yoghurt and curd factory at the Siddapura farm in Punani, Batticaloa. USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn handed over 50 milk cans to the farmers at the event.
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