Kilinochchi farming families complete SADP project
The Sustainable Agriculture Development Program (SADP), celebrated
another milestone when 1,000 families from Kilinochchi completed the
program. SADP is the flagship CSR program of Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC)
which aims at alleviating poverty.
The completion of the 30-month program means that families can
adequately meet their daily nutrition levels and also receive an income
by selling any excess produce. Their knowledge of agriculture and land
productivity has also improved and the families can sustain their home
gardens without the support of SADP Field Officers, a company official
said.
Farmer families were registered for SADP Plus in 2012 with the
opening of a SADP office in Kilinochci with a project manager and five
field officers. As a program with a strict policy of 'No Cash
Hand-outs', SADP believes in sustainable agriculture development through
knowledge transfer, resource assistance and a paradigm shift in attitude
among the rural communities.
A field officer was assigned for every 200 families and he visited
them at least once in 10 days to evaluate progress. During the 30-month
program, 1,534 cluster meetings were held with the families by the field
officers to educate and share best practices in farming.
About 20,000 vegetables and fruit plants, 16,144 chicks, 266 goats
and 100 bee boxes were issued to the families. A selected group of
families were also trained and supported in mushroom cultivation. |