Hirdaramani Apparel, Lacoste Foundation and UNDP visit smallholder farmers assessing progress and impacts supported through joint initiative
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 4 March 2025: As part of an ongoing collaborative initiative to empower smallholder farmers, representatives from Hirdaramani Apparel, Lacoste Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, recently conducted a site visit to the ‘Smallholder Farmer Resilience through Innovative Financing Project’ in Vengala Chettikulum and Vavuniya South Divisional Secretariat divisions.
Mr. Mathieu Brousse, Vice President of Global Sourcing, Lacoste; Mr. Siddharth Hirdaramani, Director, Hirdaramani Group; and Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka together with representatives from the partner organizations engaged in the joint field visit to assess progress and observe impacts achieved through its support.
The project which is a part of UNDP’s Private Sector Giving Facility, has successfully developed 105 backyard poultry units and 101 integrated market home gardens, equipping families with the tools and knowledge needed to generate a stable income while embracing sustainable agricultural practices. These efforts not only strengthen the local economy but also improve food security by connecting smallholder farmers to consumers. A key milestone has also been the establishment of a weekly farmer’s market within the Hirdaramani factory premises in Vavuniya, which has allowed direct sales to buyers, ensuring fair pricing and reducing intermediaries, while offering employees access to fresh and healthy produce.
Emphasizing the long-term vision of the initiative, Mathieu Brousse, Vice President Global Sourcing at Lacoste Operations stated, “At Lacoste, we believe that our long-term economic success goes together with the ability to generate societal value through our activities. This is why we strive to team up with local partners who share our commitment to making environmental and social issues a priority. We are very proud of our partnership with Hirdaramani, which has enabled us to support this UNDP initiative, benefiting more than a hundred families in the Vavuniya district whose living conditions have been improved.”
The initiative has directly benefited 102 farmer families, with 95% of beneficiaries being women. They were provided with the knowledge, skills, and resources to establish integrated home gardens and engage in poultry farming. Families received technical guidance on setting up sprinkler irrigation systems, crop planning, and using grow bags and barrels of organic fertilizer to ensure the success of their home gardens. Additionally, target beneficiaries were provided with chicks, coops, and training on feed management and poultry health, leading to a rise in poultry farming. As a result, families were able to sell more goods at marketplaces, boosting their income. Poultry farming also became a valuable income stream, with a 45% increase in income compared to baseline figures.
Speaking on the benefits of the project, Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka stated, “By equipping smallholder farmers with the skills, resources, and market access they need, we are not only strengthening local food security but also empowering communities to thrive for the generations to come. The success of these backyard poultry units and home gardens demonstrates what can be achieved when the private sector and the UN come together, and the investments made by the private sector can result in exponential impact when building on the experience and presence of UNDP on the ground. We deeply appreciate the partnership with the Lacoste Foundation and Hirdaramani Apparel and we look forward to scaling up these efforts, ensuring long-term stability for farmers and a sustainable supply chain for local consumers.”
Additionally, Hirdaramani employees and their families who purchase products from the market have also benefited from the economic and social ripple effects created by the project, extending its positive impact beyond the direct participants.
Highlighting the importance of market access for farmers, Siddarth Hirdaramani, Director, Hirdaramani Group noted, “By sourcing sustainable produce and organising weekly farmer markets, we have been able to connect local communities with consistent income opportunities. Through this market access, local farmers can see a greater return for their efforts and continue to refine their practices for even better yields. We’re happy to work alongside of UNDP and the Lacoste Foundation to improve the quality of life for our communities. Partnerships like these align well with our values, and as a result, our employees from nearby plants and their extended families benefit from the goodwill shared by the community.”
Beyond the economic gains, the project promotes sustainability and self-sufficiency. Families incorporated Azolla, a cost-effective feed, into their poultry practices, reducing expenses. By producing and consuming organic products, they improved their health while generating additional income through sales. This initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening rural economies and food security. By equipping smallholder farmers with essential skills and market linkages, resilience is built, and inclusive economic growth is fostered.
With a strong foundation in place, the project aims to expand its market access strategies, ensuring a more robust connection between farmers and consumers. Together, we are shaping a future of sustainable agriculture, economic empowerment, and community wellbeing in Sri Lanka.
