News
FAO and EU project enhances yield, cut down costs
For four decades, Chandrasena, a seasoned paddy farmer in Ampara, has devoted himself to maximizing yields on the two-acre plot of paddy fields he inherited from his father. Despite facing myriad challenges he recently experienced a bountiful harvest, thanks to Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (IPNM), part of the “RiceUP” project implemented by the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding from the European Union (EU).
FAO quoted Chandrasena as having said: “Over the years I have witnessed how farmers face numerous difficulties trying to get better yields. We have faced drought, heavy rain, pests and diseases that destroyed our harvests. But this year has been a blessed year. This year’s harvest has been good. This Maha season we harvested 1800kg paddy per acre which is around 300kg more than the last season.”
Besides increased yields, IPNM’s guidance in fertilisation and soil management significantly reduced Chandrasena’s urea usage from 100kg to 60kg per acre, saving costs. With the assistance of Agriculture Instructor E M Dhammika Bandara, Chandrasena and 28 fellow farmers in Uhana, Ampara, learned IPNM techniques through Farmer Field Schools, resulting in a remarkable increase in yield, despite adverse weather conditions.
“This is one of the best programmes we have come across during my tenure working in the field. The application of the Farmer Field School methodology has been successful. These farmers have cultivated 60 seasons in their life, but they have not come across the IPNM technology,” said Dhammika. “Chandrasena’s plot was the control plot. We managed to see better harvest from his field as he applied the IPNM practices exactly as taught. We could see a clear difference to non-IPNM plots, IPNM plots had a higher yield even with bad weather.”
Chandrasena’s success story highlights the potential of IPNM to enhance yields and economic sustainability for smallholder farmers like himself. While he currently supplements his income with daily wage jobs, Chandrasena remains optimistic about the future of paddy farming, especially with his son’s support and potential continuation of the family tradition.
“My son is employed but supports my farming as much as possible, hopefully he will continue to cultivate paddy in the future.”
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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