Agro Ecology (AE) in Sri LankaAgro Ecology (AE) in Sri Lanka

Interventions

Where we work

Size of the program

Main componentsof our Approach

- Small scale peasant agriculture- Post war context- Dry zone with water scarcity- Low land productivity- Negative health impacts of chemical agriculture

- Small scale peasant agriculture- Post war context- Dry zone with water scarcity- Low land productivity- Negative health impacts of chemical agriculture

- Main agricultural Province - High usage of chemical fertilizers- Epidemic of kidney disease is spreading as a result of high chemical usage- Unsustainable livelihoods of farmers- Vulnerable for natural disasters, especially draughts and occasional floods

- Plantation sector who were settled for labor work in tea, rubber and coconut states- Very poor small holders of agricultural lands- Highly populated and poverty increase- Food security is challenged

North

NorthCentral

NorthWestern

Central

Estern

- Small scale producers sell their agricultural land since they cannot bear the high production cost- Agricultural lands are bought by big investors for tourism and large scale mono-cropping Level / Impact & Approaches

Impact Approach

National Level:

1. Government support for agro ecology through increased budget allocations (subsidy, market support, R&D etc)

2. Strong national level farmer/CSO movement to promote agro ecology – with strong women leadership

3. Specific program by the Department and Ministry of Agriculture to promote agro ecology

National Level:

1. Support national level civil society movements to campaign on the need for an agro ecology based approach

2. Collaborate with relevant Ministries and departments to influence policy and program changes

District / Provincial Level

1. Agro ecology has been mainstreamed in District agriculture development plans and Provincial agricultural policies

2. Increased expansion of agro ecological practices within the district / province through the programs of other stakeholders

3. Increased women leadership at District / Provincial level

Community Level:

1. More farmers using agro ecology practices ( 40% of the target community)

2. Sustainable local food production / increased resilience for external shocks / economic and social empowerment of SSPs (especially women)

3. Better household and community nutrition / health outcomes

District / Provincial Level:

1. Facilitate broader civil society / multi-stakeholder networks to share knowledge, techniques and experiences to replicate agro ecological practices

2. Influence regional policy makers to implement favorable policy / program changes for agro ecology

3. Supporting regional trainer pools

Community Level:

1. Promotion of agro ecology practices among target communities through - Technical transfers to farmers through partners- Piloting new technical innovations- Model establishment

Insider and outsider tactic:

support farmer and CS movement led campaigns to build political pressure while engaging with the Government to develop solutions based on agro ecology

Highlight issues related with the present agriculture system (Kidney disease / cancer etc) through research, public mobilizations and media

Link research institutes to gather and disseminate evidences on the viability of agro ecological approaches

- Ecological home gardens / market gardens / agro forestry- SRI and ecological paddy cultivation- Value chain development and marketing- Campaign and advocacy- Research - Networking and movement building

Country program budget allocations

Number of farmers