News
Smallholder farmers report profits of over one million rupees per cultivation season from 0.25 acres of land after adopting GAP.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has modernized farms and introduced Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to over 600 smallholder vegetable farmers in the districts 0f Badulla, Moneragala, and Mullaitivu, the FAO said.
The following is the text of the FAO press release: “The initiative focused on equipping targeted farmers with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively adopt modern, climate-resilient approaches to agriculture. Emphasizing the adoption of GAP, participants were provided with agriculture kits tailored for a land area of 0.25 acres. These kits comprised essential components such as drip irrigation systems, plastic mulch, insect-proof nets, and Galvanized Iron (GI) pipes, enabling efficient resource utilization and cost reduction.
In addition, FAO facilitated capacity building through Farmer Field Schools (FFS), empowering farmers with the expertise necessary to achieve GAP certification. By utilizing extension approaches and organizing exposure visits to successful GAP farms, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of modern agricultural methodologies. Furthermore, smallholder farmers received cash assistance through the World Food Programme (WFP), helping them meet their food and nutrition needs during the transition phase.
The tangible outcomes of the initiative underscore its success. Over 71% of participating farmers have reported notable improvements in crop quality and a reduction in pesticide and agro-chemical usage. Furthermore, the implementation of insect-proof nets has led to a decrease in pest infestations and diseases while also reducing damage from wild animals, such as monkeys, peacocks and wild boar, thereby enhancing crop resilience and sustainability.
72% of farmers reported an increase in total income with over 24 farmers achieving profits exceeding Rs. 1,000,000/- in a single cultivation season and more than 150 farmers surpassing the Rs. 500,000/- mark. These figures underscore the significant economic impact of the programme. The initiative has also yielded significant environmental benefits with a 48% reduction in the average usage of chemical fertiliser per 0.25 acres of land.
This intervention is a part of a joint food security initiative, funded by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund. The Fund promotes innovative, catalytic, and transformative initiatives that align with the national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027). It is supported by Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Peace Building Fund, and the Joint SDG Fund.
Celebrating the achievements of farmers across all three districts, an awards ceremony was held in Thanamalwila under the patronage of Australian Deputy Head of Mission Lalita Kapur, Provincial Secretary of Agriculture Upali Jayasekara, and FAO Assistant Representative (Programme) Nalin Munasinghe. The event not only recognized exemplary achievements but also underscored the pivotal role of GAP certification in enhancing market demand and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
Looking ahead, FAO Sri Lanka remains committed to nurturing agricultural modernization and uplifting farmers’ livelihoods, paving the way for a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector in Sri Lanka.”
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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