The European Commission (EC), through its implementing partner the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provides a milk chilling centre for the dairy farmers of Bandaradoowa Village, Uhana, in Ampara, eastern Sri Lanka.
This project, actioned by the EC and implemented through IOM, has included the construction of a new building - consisting of six rooms and toilet facilities - a boundary wall and gate, landscaping, drainage, electricity and water connection, and perhaps most importantly, the supply and installation of a milk cooler which can hold 500 litres of milk, and keep it cool, at any one time (see left and below).
Average household income in Bandaradoowa is currently around LKR 3,180 per month, and of the 309 households, 43 are female headed and two thirds are registered Samurdhi recipients.
The benefits of this centre will be far reaching. Dairy farmers - previously only able to make one milk round per day and suffering much loss of income due to spoilage - will now be able to keep their milk cool, make an additional evening round, and potentially double their income.
The project cost over 5.9 million Sri Lankan rupees and will serve some 1,522 beneficiaries, of which 112 dairy farmers in this conflict-affected village directly.
A ceremony to open and hand over Bandaradoowa MCC to the Bandaradoowa Farmer Managed Society will take place at 10.30am on 03.12.2009 at the project site.