Net-Zero, Nature-Positive Dairy: Climate-Smart Dairy Value Chains through Energy Transition & Nature-Based Solutions

About this project

Sri Lanka’s dairy sector is at a critical juncture, facing cascading climate shocks, economic hardship, and deepening rural inequality—challenges that disproportionately affect women, youth, and marginalized estate communities. Rural poverty has more than doubled since 2019, and women—who make up a significant share of the agricultural workforce—are especially vulnerable due to limited access to resources, technology, and decision-making platforms. In climate-vulnerable districts like Kilinochchi and Nuwara Eliya, smallholder dairy farmers, including women-headed households and aspiring youth agri-entrepreneurs, struggle with declining productivity, input shortages, and nutrition insecurity. The destabilization of the dairy sector threatens household food security, particularly for children and women in estate areas where dairy is often the only accessible protein source. By establishing a Climate-Smart Dairy ecosystem, the intervention will reduce emissions, enhance dairy yields, and build adaptive capacity, supporting a just and inclusive transition toward a sustainable, climate-resilient dairy sector in Sri Lanka.Direct beneficiaries (number, men/women): 750 smallholder famers (400 women/350 men) and 100 government officers.Indirect Beneficiaries: 5,000 (including family members, aspiring youth agri-entrepreneurs, veterinary officers, animal health professionals, local milk collectors & other community members)

Goals

Sustainable Development Goals this project works towards

• 1No Poverty
• 2Zero Hunger
• 5Gender Equality
• 7Affordable and Clean Energy
• 13Climate Action

Published by

United Nations Development Programme · Multilateral

Countries

Sri Lanka

Sectors

LivestockSectors not specified

Funded by

GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN

Implemented by

UNDP

Accountable

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Published by United Nations Development Programme to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), last updated 5 Oct 2026 and imported automatically. IATI identifier: XM-DAC-41114-PROJECT-01005671.

No updates yet.