United States Successfully Links Farmers in the East with New Opportunities

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is linking more than 2,000 farmers in Ampara and Monaragala Districts to new markets for a special variety of papaya, providing supplemental income to participating families. U.S Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis and USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn met recently with some of the participants in Monaragala District.

USAID/Sri Lanka, the development agency of the U.S. Embassy, partnered with Anoma Agro Based Products Pvt. Ltd., a member of the Daya Group of companies, on the project. Anoma identified a demand in export and domestic markets for Red Lady, a high-quality hybrid papaya that sells for a higher price than traditional varieties. The project provides 50 free papaya plant seedlings and training on papaya cultivation and basic business practices to each farmer; Anoma purchases the crop from the farmers.

Of the 2,135 farmers participating in this USAID-funded project, more than 1,400 farmers have already planted 200 acres of papaya. Harvesting began in November 2009, with the two-month harvest valued at Rs 1.98 million ($17,257) and farmers each earning Rs 11,000 ($96) per month on average. The project will work with 3,000 farmers in 2010, increasing both the volume of papaya produced and the total value of the new crop.

One farmer with 100 papaya plants expects to earn 200% more than her present household income through this project. “My family was fortunate to be selected to participate in this project. We were given training on cultivation of hybrid Red Lady papaya, including pest and disease control. I’m confident that I can earn approximately Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000 ($157 - $174) per month as net income,” said Mala Wijayalatha. Mala plans to build a good house for her family with her savings, which has long been her dream.

U.S. Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis visited participating farmers and said, “I am especially pleased to see how this project is benefiting women farmers. About 40% of the participants are women. The supplemental income they earn gives them the flexibility to stay at home and take care of their families, while contributing to the household income in a significant way.”

Priyanka Malkanthi also participated in this project and said “The valuable training we received opened our eyes to the potential earnings of papaya cultivation. We managed to earn an additional income of over Rs 25,000 ($218) in a month and a half. Thanks to USAID, we’re getting the highest income for our family today.”

- Asian Tribune -