Puttalam Farm, one Sri Lanka’s pioneering organic farms and eco lodges, has launched an innovative micro income scheme with farmers to enhance and uplift their livelihoods.

The scheme that goes under rent-a-goat/rent-poultry enables farmers to obtain high breed goats/ cattle and poultry on rent and share profits with the farm.

The unique scheme called ‘Azhara – micro income scheme’ was launched at a simple ceremony at the farm where eight micro farmers from the village were selected and given goats and poultry. The farmers would be provided with technical assistance in developing their flock.

The uniqueness of the scheme is that the farmers have no loan obligations. They would share in the profits of the venture by breeding livestock and poultry and sharing profits on a 50% -50% basis. 

The scheme endeavours to increase the household income of farmers by a minimum of Rs. 7,500 per month. The farmers are covered under unique insurance scheme that would provide health/Life/personal accident and property insurance. The farmers would pay for this cover through the profits generated through the scheme.

“The whole scheme is a partnership and a business venture in the focused development of small time farmers to enhance their economic status without getting into debt,” said Puttalam Farm General Manager Zaneem Ahamed.

The scheme target is to expand sign up at least 100 farmers by the end of 2016.

Puttalam Farm is an endeavour by individuals who are excited about the development and promotion of organic farming and the production of safe food. The Micro Income scheme is one of its five focus areas, the others being organic agro produce mainly coconut, eco lodges/environment, organic poultry and organic livestock.

Puttalam Farm is the lessee of Sri Lanka’s first farmland REIT – the Agriculterra REIT that was established by real estate pioneers Expatkey Properties.

A model for profitable micro-farming

As we awaken to the realities in store for us in a future defined by declining net energy, concerns about food security, adequate nutrition, community resilience, and reliable income commonly arise.

Small-scale farming usually quickly surfaces as a pursuit that could help address all of these. Yet most dismiss the idea of becoming farmers themselves; mainly due to lack of capital. It simply feels too risky.

The Azhara micro income scheme takes out the risk from the micro farmer