JICA-backed milk production project in dry zone gets green light as the Sri Lankan government approved a new technical cooperation initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s dairy sector and improving productivity among farmers operating in dry zone regions.
JICA-backed milk production project to strengthen Sri Lanka dairy sector
The project, which will be implemented over a three-year period with financial assistance amounting to Rs. 300 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is expected to support dairy farmers through training programmes, technology adoption, improved pasture systems, and enhanced hygienic milk production practices.
Addressing the Cabinet media briefing, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the initiative is designed to increase milk production while improving the overall efficiency and sustainability of dairy farming operations across selected provinces.
The programme will primarily target dairy farmers producing between 20 and 100 litres of milk per day in the Northern, Eastern, North Central, and North Western provinces. Authorities believe these regions hold significant potential for expansion within Sri Lanka’s dairy sector due to the availability of land resources and the increasing demand for locally produced milk.
According to the government, the project will focus on strengthening technical knowledge among farmers while introducing modern farming methods and suitable technologies capable of improving productivity and operational standards.
JICA-backed milk production project in dry zone gets green light at a time when Sri Lanka continues efforts to reduce dependence on imported dairy products and improve domestic milk production capacity. Industry experts have repeatedly highlighted the importance of strengthening local dairy supply chains to improve food security and reduce foreign exchange outflows associated with milk imports.
Under the initiative, two districts will be selected from each of the four provinces identified for implementation. Within those districts, three veterinary divisions will be chosen to support the project’s operational activities and farmer engagement programmes.
In total, 24 model farms are expected to be established across the selected areas, with three model farms operating within each veterinary division. These farms will function as demonstration centres showcasing improved dairy farming techniques, efficient herd management practices, and enhanced pasture cultivation systems.
Officials noted that the demonstration-based model is intended to facilitate knowledge transfer among farming communities by enabling neighbouring farmers to observe and adopt practical methods that improve milk production and farm efficiency.
The programme will also prioritise the strengthening of pasture production and supply systems, which remain critical challenges for many dairy farmers operating in dry zone conditions. Improving access to quality animal feed and sustainable pasture management is expected to contribute significantly toward increasing milk yields and reducing operational costs.
Another important component of the project involves promoting hygienic milk production and consumption practices. Authorities stated that better hygiene standards throughout the production chain could help improve product quality, consumer confidence, and long-term sustainability within the dairy sector.
Agriculture sector analysts note that Sri Lanka’s domestic dairy industry has long faced structural challenges, including low productivity levels, inadequate technical support, fluctuating feed availability, and limited access to modern farming technologies.
As a result, local milk production has historically fallen short of national demand, increasing reliance on imported milk powder and dairy-related products. Policymakers have increasingly focused on developing local dairy farming capacity as part of broader agricultural modernisation and food security strategies.
JICA-backed milk production project in dry zone gets green light following Cabinet approval of the proposal submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation. The approval officially clears the way for implementation of the Technical Cooperation Project for the Development of Milk Production in the Dry Zone.
The project also reflects the continued cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan in supporting agricultural development and rural economic growth initiatives. JICA has remained an important development partner in Sri Lanka across sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, water management, transport, and technical cooperation.
Industry observers believe that initiatives focused on training, knowledge-sharing, and technology adoption could play an important role in improving long-term productivity within Sri Lanka’s dairy sector while creating more stable income opportunities for rural farming communities.
With increasing attention being placed on agricultural self-sufficiency and sustainable food production, the new programme is expected to contribute toward strengthening domestic milk production while enhancing resilience within the country’s broader agricultural economy.