The Welikanda farm, commonly known as Muthuwella Farm, is situated on the border of the Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa Districts with an extent of 1,300 acres. The Siddhapura Farm, located in Punani in Batticaloa District, has 2600 acres.

The USAID funded Connecting Regional Economies (CORE) is also working with CIC Agribusiness Ltd. and its subsidiary, on a cost-shared basis, in forming a pilot scale dairy farmer network of 350 farmers in Welikanda and Punani to support CIC’s dairy supply requirements.

The objective is to link the famer groups to a consistent market to ensure an additional income stream to the participating famers while expanding their income base.

CORE together with CIC is conducting technical training for all participating farmers. This includes better housing for the cattle, improved breeding practices, health and nutrition for the animals, milking practices and improved milk quality, and business basics for the farmers.

In addition, CORE will provide grant assistance to farmers on a cost shared basis to introduce new housing for cattle, upgrade breeding stock and develop pasture lands.

The programme will strengthen and expand dairy farmer organizational networks to include additional beneficiaries and enable them to actively participate in the restored dairy value chain in the Eastern Province.