JICA recognizes immediate Maize requirement for the fast-approaching season

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Sri Lanka, will procure a significant portion of maize seed requirements in Sri Lanka, targeting the Maha cultivation season, To address the immediate needs of the ongoing socio-economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

JICA has said maize is a staple input in the livestock feed industry and maize-based food items, such as Thriposha and Samaposha, and the demand for seeds, has swelled over recent years.

Sri Lanka is expected to face over a 60 percent drop in crop production, this Yala cultivation season, which will decline farmers’ income to half, creating a cascading effect during the next Maha cultivation season, growing the current socio-economic crisis to its worse end. However, due to shortages related to the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka, only approximately 50% of the seed requirement is readily available in the country to supplement cultivation in the Maha season. JICA recognized the immediate need to import seeds and achieve the balance requirement for the soon approaching season.

The agreement was signed yesterday with Yamada Tetsuya, the chief representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office and Malin Herwig, Officer-in-Charge, UNDP in Sri Lanka, in the presence of Agriculture Minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, with the participation of wider representatives from the partner organizations.

Highlighting the role of JICA in contributing towards food security needs, Tetsuya said: “Currently, the supply chain of livestock and food production is affected by shortage of the maize seeds, affecting the availability and affordability of some essential food items, and giving rise to nutritional concerns for the population, which we hope to resolve through the JICA’s collaborative assistance with UNDP.”

JICA and UNDP will work with the Ministry of Agriculture to procure and supply approximately 200MT (200,000 KG) of maize seeds to farmer organizations in the dry zone districts of Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the role of UNDP in bringing together stakeholders and facilitating such processes in times of need, UNDP Officer-in Charge Herwig said: “UNDP brings together stakeholders at a critical time to provide support with speed and transparency. Through procurement efforts such as this, the need of the hour can be addressed ahead of the season to reduce risk for food insecurity. We look forward to working closely with JICA counterparts in the timely supply of Maize to farmers in the Dry Zone.”