BESPA-FOOD project implemented by UNIDO supports farmer communities to access global markets

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)’s Agriculture Sector Modernisation Project (ASMP) partnered with the European Union (EU) funded BESPA-FOOD project, implemented by the United Nations Development Organisation (UNIDO), to enable rural farmer community organisations to access knowledge products and technical support to enhance the agro-food sector value chain. 

The initiative was the first step in the ASMP’s long-term vision to enable its farmer community organisations formally established as Public Unlisted Companies (PUC), to access all knowledge products generated from European Union and World Bank-funded agriculture projects in Sri Lanka. 

“The EU is pleased to see that our projects complement each other well. Working collaboratively is crucial for delivering better results more effectively and efficiently for the communities we serve” said the European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka and Maldives Head of Cooperation Dr. Johann HESSE. “It is also critical to guarantee that every euro (or dollar) is spent wisely and productively.”

Sharing his views at the event, the Minister said that the ASMP project had successfully introduced technology in some sectors such as the chili growing and processing industry, where some farmers have been able to earn a much higher income. “During my last visit to an ASMP project cluster, I observed how farmers were being trained to grow new or known crops on a large scale, apply new technology, and adapt to the requirements of the market. I would like to thank the ASMP project and agencies like the EU, UNIDO and the World Bank for supporting the agriculture sector to enhance its income potential.”

As part of the initiative, UNIDO handed over a set of publications covering quality, food safety, and packaging fundamentals, specially developed for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Developed in all three languages, the set of publications were presented to ten PUCs from Northern, NC, Central, UVA, and Eastern province. 

“We aim to increase the competitiveness of Sri Lankan SMEs in regional and EU markets to support trade-led growth. We have supported the development of a national packaging testing centre and work closely with institutions to ensure enterprises along the agro-food value chain are on par with global standards, giving them easy access to export markets,” said UNIDO International Senior Specialist Jairo A. Villamil-Diaz (Ph.D.). He further added that “we look forward to working closely with all the EU and World Bank funded agro-food projects coming under the Ministry of Agriculture and the ASMP.”

The five-year ASMP project under the Ministry of Agriculture is implemented with $ 58.63 million in funding support from the World Bank in five provinces and seven districts covering Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Matale, and Monaragala. The EU is providing $ 28 million in additional support to expand the project to Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Ampara, Badulla, and Kandy and Jaffna (shared district with WB) increasing the total number of districts up to 12 in 6 provinces.

The 3-year BESPA FOOD project is funded by the EU with EUR 6.5 million and implemented by UNIDO and FAO.