AID cooperative agreement no. 383-0090-A-00-2018-00 with the Aitken Spence Agricultural Development Ltd. to provide support for establishment of a pioneering agricultural production and processing operation in the Uda Walawe Basin of Sri Lanka

(ASAD) to provide support for ASAD"s establishment of a pioneering export-oriented agricultural production and processing operation in Uda Walawe Basin of Sri Lanka, at which ASAD will develop and test a variety of high-value horticultural exports. ASAD will construct and put into operation a cold chain facility and a pickling facility; improve existing banana production practices; conduct field trials and market tests of vegetables to be pickled (particularly those designated for East Asian markets) and of other high-value crops that require cold chain processing, from melons to baby corn; and identify other high-value products and markets. The ASAD enterprise is expected to increase outgrower cropping by about 100 acres and to accelerate the creation of permanent private sector jobs in the Mahaweli areas, with 1,400 employees and outgrowers expected to benefit directly.