The government plans to implement the Smallholder Tea and Rubber Revitalization (STARR) Programme with the financial assistance from the IFAD.

The project will assist improving the tea yields in 5,500 hectares in Matara, Galle, Ratnapura, Badulla and Kandy Districts and the Rubber yields in 3,000 hectares in Monaragala and Ampara Districts.

The program, according to IFAD, will benefit tea estate settlers and marginalized small-scale tea producers. The rubber smallholders program will benefit poor upland food crop farmers in Monaragala and Ampara districts who want to take up rubber cultivation.

The total investment of the project amounting to US$ 65.4 million and US$ 25.7 million will be granted by the IFAD.