|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 20 March 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Boost for farmers and fishermen by L.S.A. Wedaarachchi A program to improve food security and the livelihood of farmers and fishing communities is being implemented islandwide by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) through the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Livestock and Irrigation. Under this program fourteen sites were selected with the participation of farmers and fishermen during the last three years. Four local specialists in Agriculture, Livestock and the fishing sectors lead the project under the supervision of the FAO office in Colombo to achieve the objectives of the program. The fifteenth site has been earmarked in the Western Province in the near future. Fourteen sites have been already established in Kadahatha, Periyasandi, Indurannawela, Uyanwewa, Thammannawa, Karawdeniya, Maduwawela, Havandana, Batheleyaya, Walpola, Ambagaswewa Kobbewehera, Kobbe Gala and Bodiwela especially in the paddy livestock and fishing areas. Due to lack of proper post-harvest handling storage and processing 20% - 45% of harvest of the country is lost annually. Explaining the objectives and results so far gained by the project Dr. Mervyn Joseph, the team leader of the program said, that they meet the provincial steering committees including officials of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Animal Production and Health, National Aquaculture, Agrarian Services, field implementation teams and farmer organisations monthly in their respective areas. These monthly meetings held at the grassroots level of the farmer and fishing community help to collect basic information, counter threats and explore opportunities. Community action plans and farmer group development plans are also drawn up during these sessions, he said. He said the shortcomings at the sites included shortage of water, erratic rainfall, poor water management, no-integrated farming crop livestock and fishery lack of capital, inadequate extension services, lack of knowledge, high production costs, no quality seeds, inputs, animals, pest and diseases, high post harvest losses and poor marketing. To overcome these problems several measures and policies have been introduced for the farmer and fishing communities. Under the program the yield levels will be improved from 3-3.7/ha to 20-25% by promoting better water management, increasing the availability of quality seeds, timely cultivation, micro credit, fertiliser management and training in new technology. The Japanese and Sri Lankan governments provide the funds for the FAO-project. The contribution from the Japanese government is US$ 1.59 million while the contribution from the Sri Lankan government is US$ 85 million. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
