Sri Lanka’s pioneering poultry producer, Bairaha Farms PLC, marks its 50th anniversary this year, celebrating a half-century of shaping the nation’s nutritional landscape and transforming chicken from a luxury item into an affordable household staple.
When Bairaha began operations in 1975, chicken was a rare delicacy on Sri Lankan tables. Today, it stands as the country’s most accessible source of protein a transformation largely credited to the company’s vision and consistent quality standards. Over the decades, Bairaha has built one of Sri Lanka’s largest fully integrated poultry operations, spanning grandparent and parent broiler breeder farms, hatcheries, feed mills, processing facilities, and islandwide distribution.
“Our 50-year journey has been one of continuous learning, innovation, and adaptation,” said Managing Director Yakooth Naleem, reflecting on the milestone. “Despite economic turbulence and shifting consumer demands, our focus has remained on quality, affordability, and trusensuring that every Sri Lankan household can access safe poultry products.”
Bairaha’s founding chairman, M.I.M. Naleem Hajiar, laid the foundation for a modern poultry industry when he established the country’s first large-scale parent breeder farm and hatchery in 1977, followed by a state-of-the-art processing plant in 1980.
A turning point came in 1985 with the Contract Growing Scheme, which empowered hundreds of rural farmers in Gampaha, Puttalam, and Kurunegala to join commercial poultry production. This model not only uplifted village economies but also boosted demand for local maize and feed ingredients strengthening Sri Lanka’s agricultural base.
Today, the company operates across 13 locations, employing over 1,300 staff and partnering with hundreds of contract farmers. Its operations from breeder farms to distribution adhere to rigorous safety and quality standards, ensuring fresh, hygienic chicken products reach consumers daily.
However, Bairaha’s golden jubilee comes amid a challenging backdrop for Sri Lanka’s poultry sector. The industry has been grappling with soaring feed costs, foreign exchange constraints, and shortages of raw materials such as maize and soybean meal. Many small and medium-scale poultry producers have reported difficulties maintaining production levels, while farm-gate prices fluctuate with global commodity trends.
Despite these headwinds, Naleem remains optimistic: “The growth potential for Sri Lanka’s poultry industry remains strong both domestically and for export. We will continue to build on our legacy through innovation, sustainability, and farmer empowerment.”
As Bairaha celebrates five decades of resilience and leadership, its journey mirrors the evolution of Sri Lanka’s poultry industry from modest beginnings to a modern, integrated value chain that continues to feed the nation.
