JICA, Jaffna Secretariat host ‘Workshop for Development - Jaffna District’

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) together with the District Secretariat of Jaffna recently hosted a ‘Workshop for Development - Jaffna District’ providing over 100 stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute to the development of a holistic plan for reconstruction and development activities in the district.

Participants built on an initial outline of the plan, drafted by stakeholders based on feedback gathered during workshops, lessons learnt from pilot projects, and information and statistics collected during field visits.

Once finalised in August 2011, the plan is expected to serve as a practical and effective tool in guiding and directing further reconstruction and development initiatives in the district.

“Various agencies are implementing a number of development and rehabilitation projects in the district. Weekly coordination meetings are held to review available resources, prioritise needs, identify sectors that need immediate attention and strengthen assistance to resettling and resettled communities.

However, there was a need to organise a forum at regional level with the participation of all stakeholders. We therefore requested JICA to organise this event.

This is also the first such event held in Jaffna for implementing partners after I took up post in July 2010”,said Government Agent Jaffna Emelda Sukumar.

Participants at the workshop in groups, discussed short, mid and long term strategies, targets and goals in recovering agricultural production levels (vegetable, fruits, paddy, coconut, cashew, palmyra and other food crops) and the fisheries sector, developing manufacturing industries and empowering communities in the district.

“There was intensive and productive participation at the workshop and this has given us an opportunity to learn about challenges at divisional and regional levels.

I hope that the donor community will come forward with support aligned with Sri Lanka’s requirements and act strategically once the plan is translated into action”, said Director General, Ministry of Economic Development Manisha Gunasekera.

Recommendations

The draft outline for Jaffna’s agricultural sector included vegetable and fruit production in highlands, lowland paddy production, sandy soil agriculture at outlying islands and coastal areas, and livestock production.

Recommendations proposed by the groups were:

- Providing a stable supply of input for instance free seedlings to IDPs and returnees (palmyra, cashew, coconut), increasing the supply of locally produced quality vegetable/fruit seeds and planting materials, rehabilitation of plantations and cultivations, strengthening private nurseries and encouraging mini poultry breed farms, subsidised fertiliser, establishment of integrated farms and on a long-term basis conducting various studies.

- Improvement of production technology and infrastructure such as mobile training and veterinary units, appropriate post harvest technology, reconstruction of housing facilities setting up of feed resource centres and drainage systems.

- Improvement of marketing techniques by conducting surveys to identify potential markets, strengthening sales outlets and networks (milk, paddy).

- Strengthening of community based organisations related to paddy, fruits, vegetables and livestock. Public service providers were also considered important.

Fishing

The participants identified the following among other immediate, mid and long-term recommendations in Jaffna’s fishing industry which consists of coastal and off-shore fishing and aquaculture.

- Developing and rehabilitation of facilities such as landing centres, harbours, fish auctions.

- Involvement of socially vulnerable people in the activities.

- Introduction of multiday boats and promotion of locally produced multi-day boatyards.

- Recommencement of aquaculture activity.

Manufacturing

Priority was given to agro, construction and light-metal industries during discussions. Main recommendations included:

- Skills development in fields such as fish processing, agro food industries

- Improving ongoing training programs so that upon completion of the training employment opportunities are available. Training in sectors like light metal, handicrafts, curriculum development and apprenticeships, provision of training equipment and recruiting qualified lecturers and instructresses.

- Rehabilitation of damaged industries

- Establishing linkages with producers to strengthen marketing mechanisms

- Ensuring financial support such as credit facilities from local institutions and introduction of collateral support

Community

Development

Projects focusing on improving living standards of the community should be formulated and implemented with a community approach. Stakeholders should make efforts to ensure all community development projects lead towards strengthening of civil society, good governance and democracy at all levels.