New Anthoney’s IFC Partnership marks a significant step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s poultry industry, with a financing package of up to US$10 million set to expand production while creating new opportunities for hundreds of smallholder farmers across the country.
New Anthoney’s IFC Partnership to strengthen Sri Lanka’s poultry value chain through $10 million investment
The investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), including funding from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) Private Sector Window, is expected to improve rural livelihoods, strengthen food security, and enhance the country’s poultry supply chain through an expanded contract farming network.
For many rural households, poultry farming is more than a source of supplementary income—it is a critical livelihood. Across villages in districts such as Kurunegala and Gampaha, farmers begin their days before sunrise tending broiler sheds, relying on stable partnerships with processors to earn consistent incomes. The latest investment reinforces that relationship by enabling New Anthoney’s Farms Group to expand its operations while supporting the people who form the backbone of its production network.
Since its establishment in 1986, New Anthoney’s Farms Group has evolved from a smallholder enterprise into one of Sri Lanka’s leading poultry producers. Today, around 40% of the company’s production comes from contract farming and outgrower arrangements, significantly above the national average. The company now plans to deepen this model, with at least 200 low-income smallholder poultry farmers expected to benefit directly from the expansion, while more than 20% of the participating farmers are expected to be women.
Sri Lanka’s poultry industry depends heavily on smallholders, who account for approximately 85% of all poultry farms. Despite their importance, these producers contribute less than one-third of national output due to limited access to finance, inconsistent production inputs, and fluctuating market conditions. Contract farming offers an alternative by providing farmers with day-old chicks, quality feed, veterinary guidance, and technical support while guaranteeing a pre-agreed purchase price once the birds reach market weight.
This model significantly reduces exposure to volatile market prices, enabling rural households to plan their finances with greater certainty. It also allows farmers to adopt improved biosecurity and animal welfare standards while benefiting from access to modern production practices.
The New Anthoney’s IFC Partnership is expected to accelerate this approach by expanding production capacity and creating more than 900 new jobs across the company’s operations. The investment will also strengthen the company’s outgrower network, allowing more rural entrepreneurs to participate in Sri Lanka’s formal agricultural value chains.
Women are expected to play an increasingly important role in the programme. Poultry farming has traditionally been managed by women within many rural households, yet much of this work has remained informal and under-recognised. By bringing more women into structured contract farming arrangements, the initiative offers greater financial security and increased opportunities for long-term economic participation.
Beyond supporting farmers, the investment has broader implications for Sri Lanka’s food security. Chicken remains one of the country’s most affordable sources of animal protein, making stable domestic production essential for consumers. Expanding local production capacity while improving productivity among smallholder poultry farmers is expected to contribute to a more resilient and reliable food supply.
The partnership also supports New Anthoney’s position as Sri Lanka’s only fully antibiotic-free poultry producer, a standard introduced in 2018. Maintaining this certification depends on consistent production practices throughout its contract farming network, making farmer training and technical support central to the company’s growth strategy.
Neil Suraweera, Chief Executive Officer of New Anthoney’s Farms Group, described the IFC investment as an important milestone in the company’s continued growth, noting that the business itself began as a smallholder enterprise. Chairman Emil Stanley also highlighted that maintaining high production standards depends on the close collaboration between the company and its network of contract farmers.
From IFC’s perspective, the project represents an investment in building a more resilient agricultural value chain. Carsten Mueller, IFC Regional Industry Director for Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services in Asia Pacific, said the initiative will strengthen productivity, improve market access for farmers, and support sustainable sector growth.
The investment is also expected to increase the company’s export capacity by nearly 30% once new production facilities become fully operational. While export growth represents an important commercial opportunity, the broader impact will be felt across rural communities, where farmers gain greater income stability through formal contracts and reliable market access.
Ultimately, New Anthoney’s IFC Partnership demonstrates how commercial investment can generate meaningful social and economic benefits. By strengthening relationships with contract farmers, supporting women entrepreneurs, improving food security, and expanding Sri Lanka’s poultry industry, the partnership aims to create lasting value for both rural communities and the national economy.