Cyber Centers link villages with the world [February 10 2011]

The United States Government has joined the Sri Lanka Ministry of Agriculture to provide information technology to Sri Lankan farmers to provide information on agriculture.

The initiative aims to increase productivity and better link farmers to markets. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID will equip cyber centers that will be managed by four local farmer associations.

The Ministry of Agriculture will establish 19 cyber centers in the Moneragala District as part of their internet-based agriculture extension program. The centers will provide extension services and cultivation information; agriculture and other training programs such as computer and language training; communication services; market linkages; price information and facilitation of other input supplies.

The USAID will also work with members of those associations to develop business models to ensure the long term sustainability of the centers.