Local maize price expected to reduce with ‘Sow and Grow’ project: Agri official

From left: Representative and Country Director of WFP Phillip Ward, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannilage, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security & Cooperative Development R. M. Jayawardhana and Country Director KOICA Sri Lanka Lee Yoo Li at the launching of the ‘Sow and Grow’ project 

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

The price of a locally produced kilo of maize is expected to be brought down from the current Rs.170 to Rs.95 in future with the successful launch of Sow and Grow project, which will ensure sustainable maize production for Thriposha in Sri Lanka, an agricultural official said this week. 

The official said to cultivate one acre of maize approximately a cost of Rs.200, 000 is spent, despite various related other factors like the environmental and worker issues, wild animal problem as well as soil and climate change matter. 

Maize Crop Leader of Department of Agriculture Dr. Buddhika Abeysinghe made these remarks at the launch of US$ 10 million project ‘Sow and Grow’ by World Food Programme and KOICA with the government to boost the production of Thriposha in Sri Lanka held at Courtyard by Marriot. 

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) with the WFP partnered with the government to launch the project to boost the production of high-quality local maize and ensure a reliable supply of Thriposha for children under five, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, Dr. Abeysinghe said. 

Representative and Country Director of WFP Phillip Ward said the five-year project will support 7, 500 farmers in Anuradhapura, Monaragala and Badulla districts, boosting productivity, promoting climate-smart farming and cutting post-harvest losses. 

“It will connect farmers with aggregators and Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited for better market access and ensure a reliable supply of high-quality maize, helping lower dependence on imports and mitigate climate-related risks. 

Sow and Grow is projected to enhance nutrition for more than 650, 000 children under five, as well as over 330, 000 pregnant and breastfeeding women across the country,” Ward said. 

He further said that maize farmers and processors are facing mounting pressures, from climate shocks to market constraints. “That is why ‘Sow and Grow’ is so timely. By reinforcing the food system, we are safeguarding Thriposha as a reliable, locally produced lifeline for mothers and children across Sri Lanka.” 

Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannilage, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security & Cooperative Development R. M. Jayawardhana, Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka Lee Yoo Li and Secretary to Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Sampath Manthrinayake also attended the event. 

Thriposha is a fortified supplementary food and a longstanding nutrition safety net for vulnerable mothers and children in Sri Lanka. Sow and Grow will boost local maize production, improve quality and strengthen supply chains for sustainable provision of Thriposha.