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FAO Sri Lanka News Update - Issue 19 June - Sep 2014 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Sri Lanka l ISSN No:1800-4601 Inside this issue Over 150 000 people to benefit from FAO/ EU support Integrated Irrigation and Agricultural Livelihood Development in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts Dairy farming gets a boost in Sri Lanka Handing over renovated Agricultural wells in the Mullaitivu district Field day on commercial Groundnut cultivation ‘FAO NOW’ FAO Assistant Director General visits Sri Lanka FAO representative as guest of honour UNYAP field visit to Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi Staff Professional development and knowledge sharing workshop Over 150 000 people to benefit from FAO/EU support The Government’s development prog- rammes for the Northern and Eastern Provinces commenced with the resettle- ment of internally displaced people in December 2009. These initiatives included the renovation of tanks, distribution of agricultural tools to the farmers and infrastructure and capacity building to the agricultural areas. In the past five years, FAO has provided technical expertise in the agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors and matched its know-how with resources to revive livelihoods and build community and government capacities. The project will bridge inter-district disparities helping achieve develop- mental objectives and targets articulated at the national level. FAO’s part in this project will be ‘Poverty Reduction through Agricul- tural Development’.” said Ms Singarayer. The aim is to increase income gener- ation opportunities and access to infrastructure and services for the most exposed groups in the agricul- tural sector in the target locations. Enhanced income generation reach- ing at least 50 000 people will improve and sustain livelihoods. This will be achieved through production increases, post-harvest technology and diversification for small scale primary producers. Infrastructure will also be improved by offering services for local productive activities to be used by at least 150 000 beneficiaries. FAO will support the introduction of value-addition and product diversifica- tion through technology and skills transfers. The project will continue until April 2017. “Identifying the appropriate require- ment at the right time is essential in all sectors of development” said Rohini Singarayer, Project Manager of the European Union funded District Development Programme (EU-SDDP) ‘Poverty Reduction Through Agricul- ture Development’. This project, is a collaborative initiative with the International Labour Organiza- tion (ILO), United Nations Develop- ment Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and it is implemented through the Ministry of Economic Development. “The project will support the transition from recovery to sustainable development in the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa, Mannar, Vavuniya, Anuradhapu- ra, Monaragala and Puttalam by addressing the needs of the most vulnerable groups and creating the right conditions for market and business expansion. Study of the feasibility of big onion true seeds production in the project area 01 02 03 04 04 04 05 05 06 06

FAO Sri Lanka News Update Issue 19 · PDF fileFAO Sri Lanka News Update -Issue 19 . ... Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General ... FAO Representative as guest of honour

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Page 1: FAO Sri Lanka News Update Issue 19 · PDF fileFAO Sri Lanka News Update -Issue 19 . ... Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General ... FAO Representative as guest of honour

FAO Sri Lanka News Update - Issue 19

June - Sep 2014 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Sri Lanka l ISSN No:1800-4601

Inside this issue Over 150 000 people to benefit from FAO/ EU support Integrated Irrigation and Agricultural Livelihood Development in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts Dairy farming gets a boost in Sri Lanka Handing over renovated Agricultural wells in the Mullaitivu district Field day on commercial Groundnut cultivation ‘FAO NOW’ FAO Assistant Director General visits Sri Lanka FAO representative as guest of honour UNYAP field visit to Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi Staff Professional development and knowledge sharing workshop

Over 150 000 people to benefit from FAO/EU support

The Government’s development prog-

rammes for the Northern and Eastern

Provinces commenced with the resettle-

ment of internally displaced people in

December 2009. These initiatives

included the renovation of tanks,

distribution of agricultural tools to the

farmers and infrastructure and capacity

building to the agricultural areas.

In the past five years, FAO has provided

technical expertise in the agriculture,

fisheries and livestock sectors and

matched its know-how with resources to

revive livelihoods and build community

and government capacities.

The project will bridge inter-district

disparities helping achieve develop-

mental objectives and targets

articulated at the national level.

FAO’s part in this project will be

‘Poverty Reduction through Agricul-

tural Development’.” said Ms

Singarayer.

The aim is to increase income gener-

ation opportunities and access to

infrastructure and services for the

most exposed groups in the agricul-

tural sector in the target locations.

Enhanced income generation reach-

ing at least 50 000 people will

improve and sustain livelihoods. This

will be achieved through production

increases, post-harvest technology

and diversification for small scale

primary producers. Infrastructure will

also be improved by offering

services for local productive activities

to be used by at least 150 000

beneficiaries.

FAO will support the introduction of

value-addition and product diversifica-

tion through technology and skills

transfers. The project will continue

until April 2017.

“Identifying the appropriate require-

ment at the right time is essential in all

sectors of development” said Rohini

Singarayer, Project Manager of the

European Union funded District

Development Programme (EU-SDDP)

‘Poverty Reduction Through Agricul-

ture Development’.

This project, is a collaborative initiative

with the International Labour Organiza-

tion (ILO), United Nations Develop-

ment Programme (UNDP), United

Nations Office for Project Services

(UNOPS), International Finance

Corporation (IFC) and United

Nations Children’s Fund

(UNICEF) and it is implemented

through the Ministry of Economic

Development.

“The project will support the

transition from recovery to

sustainable development in the

districts of Ampara, Batticaloa,

Mannar, Vavuniya, Anuradhapu-

ra, Monaragala and Puttalam by

addressing the needs of the most

vulnerable groups and creating

the right conditions for market and

business expansion.

Study of the feasibility of big onion true

seeds production in the project area

01 02 03 04 04 04 05 05 06 06

Page 2: FAO Sri Lanka News Update Issue 19 · PDF fileFAO Sri Lanka News Update -Issue 19 . ... Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General ... FAO Representative as guest of honour

2

Intergrated Irrigation and Agricultural Livelihood Development in

Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts (GCP/SRL/061/EC)

Location map of Rehabilitated irrigation tanks

FAO with the funding from EU, rehabilitated tanks in Mullativu and kilinochchi districts under its project ‘ Integrated Irrigation and Agricultureal Livelihood Development in Kilinochchi and Mullativu Districts’.

Kilinochchi

district

Mullativu

district

Main activities carried out by the project :

Rehabilitation of minor tanks covering up to 4 165 ha area

Rehabilitation of abandoned land up to 1 200 ha

Revitalized community-based Farmer Organizations

Increased agricultural production for 17 200 vulnerable farming families through improved variety of seeds and technical training;

Training of agricultural extension staff in agriculture and water management.

Page 3: FAO Sri Lanka News Update Issue 19 · PDF fileFAO Sri Lanka News Update -Issue 19 . ... Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General ... FAO Representative as guest of honour

3

Dairy farming gets a boost in Sri Lanka

Farmers who are struggling with lack of knowledge in cattle production and

feeding techniques are to receive a helping hand from the Food and

Agriculture Organization. The Ministry of Livestock and Rural Community

Development (MLRCD) identified a critical need and approached FAO for

support.

"By raising awareness and improving technical knowledge, we hope to

strengthen the capacity of dairy farmers within Sri Lanka." said Dr Premalal

Kuruppuarachchi, Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes).

FAO aims to realize the objectives by implementing several

strategies. These include the importation of high yielding

breeds and the use of imported semen on high yielding

local animals. Project success and sustainability will rely

heavily on the participation of and partnership with the

Provincial Administration and beneficiary farmers. Project

activities commenced on 1 July 2014 and will continue for a

period of 24 months with a total budget of USD 274 000.

Project Inauguration at Peradeniya

The project addresses the following problems encountered by pro-

gressive dairy farmers with cross-bred

cattle;

•appropriate alternatives to feed their

cattle where free-range grazing is not

possible due to land constraints;

• lack of knowledge in high nutritional demand in critical stages of growth and

production in crossbred cattle;

• lack of knowledge or adequate aware-ness in appropriate feeding techniques to optimize the utilization of limited feed

resources base.

The tank was rehabilitated under the recently completed FAO

project funded by the European Union “Integrated

Irrigation & Agricultural Livelihood Development in Killinochchi

and Mullaitivu Districts” was focused on rehabilitating community irrigation infrastructure, improving water resource utili-

zation, promoting crop diversification and developing agricultural-based livelihoods for vulnerable farming households in

former conflict and flood- affected districts of Northern Sri Lanka.

Handing over Rehabilitated ‘Thanduwankulam’ tank to the Farmers

Mr Vethanayagan, Government Agent of Mullaitivu ,

Mr Vanderberghe, Head of Operations, EU/Sri Lanka and

Mr Wijekumar, Asstistant Commissioner of Agrarian

Development, inaugurates the rehabilitation tank.

Thanduwankulam tank in Oddusuddan DS division of

Mullaitivu district was rehabilitated by FAO in collaboration

with its implementing partner, Department of Agrarian

Development, at a cost of LKR 5.334 million. The handing

over ceremony was held under the patronage of Mr N Vetha-

nayagan, District Secretary and Government Agent

of Mullaitivu, Mr Willy Vanderberghe, Head of Operations,

EU/Sri Lanka, Mr Simone Brotini and Mr Lesly Jesurajan,

both programme Managers at EU/Sri Lanka.

Mr S Wijekumar, Asstistant Commissioner of Agrarian

Development, Mullaitivu and officers of EU Sri Lanka as well

as over 55 farmers, some officials from the government de-

partments and GramaNiladharis participated in the event.

Page 4: FAO Sri Lanka News Update Issue 19 · PDF fileFAO Sri Lanka News Update -Issue 19 . ... Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General ... FAO Representative as guest of honour

4

In January 2014 FAO in partnership with the Department

of Agriculture, embarked on an initiative to improve

‘Groundnut Production in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi

Districts’ under the ‘Food Security in the Northern Prov-

ince’ programme with US$ 0.7 million funding from the

Royal Norwegian Government. On Tuesday, 8 July 2014,

a Field Day was organized by the Department of Agricul-

ture in cooperation with FAO to demonstrate the success

of farmers who were engaged in commercial groundnut

cultivation, from Olumadu, Periyapuliyankulam, and

Thatchadampan in the Oddusuddan DS Division in the

Mullaitivu District. Mrs J Jeganathan Deputy Director,

Head quarters, Provincial Department of Agriculture-

Northern Province participated as the chief guest and Mr E

Vijayakumar, Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Service

Department, Mullaitivu participated as the special guest at

this event.

Field day on commercial groundnut

cultivation

Field day on groundnut cultivation under the crop diversification programme in paddy lands, Olumadu

FAO along with its implementing partner ZOA renovated

35 damaged food production wells in the Mullaitivu

district at a cost of LKR 6.84million with the financial

assistance of the Australian Government / AusAid. These

wells were formally handed over to the resettled farming

families of the Puthukkudiyerippu Division on 30 June

2014 at the Divisional Secretariat. The Government

Agent in Mullaitivu, the Divisional Secretary of the

Puthukkudiyeruppu as well as Officials from FAO and

ZOA participated in this event. The objective of the well

renovation is to increase cultivation of Other Field Crops

(OFCs), fruit and vegetables through the use of lift

irrigation. Developing the capacity of the smallholder

farmers to carry out productive farming activities will

enable a sustainable source of income and ensure food

security for farming families.

Children of

the village

by a

renovated

well

Handing over renovated Agricultural

wells in the Mullaitivu District

The FAOnow is a free mobile application for quick and easy access to latest

news, events and success stories from the Food and Agriculture Organization

of the United Nations. Through this application you can download the latest

information on FAO, read these updates offline, save them as favourites for

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Accessing information on FAO just got easier.

Languages: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Italian,

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http://www.slideshare.net/FAOoftheUN/faonow-new-mobile-application-from-the-

food-and-agriculture-organization-of-the-united-nations

Page 5: FAO Sri Lanka News Update Issue 19 · PDF fileFAO Sri Lanka News Update -Issue 19 . ... Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General ... FAO Representative as guest of honour

5

FAO Assistant Director-General visits Sri Lanka

our efforts need to be focused. “In short, we need to reposition

family farming at the center of agricultural, environmental and social policies in the national agendas to pro-

mote a shift towards a more equal and a balanced development” said Ms Crawford concluding her address.

Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General (ADG)/ Regional Repre-

sentative for Asia and the Pacific visited Sri Lanka from 8 to 10 July 2014.

Mr Konuma shared his views and ideas for the future of FAO and provided solu-

tions to the many questions put forward by the staff.

The staff meeting was followed by a tree planting ceremony where the ADG

planted an Asoka sapling in the UN compound. He then proceeded to share his

ideas on the importance of not wasting food by writing on a leaf which he hung

on the FAO idea tree titled ‘Imagine No Hunger’. Mr Konuma, accompanied by

Ms Beth Crawford, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, visited

FAO programmes both in Colombo and in Kilinochchi. He also met with the

donors, the UN Country Team, Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development; Hon. Rajitha Senaratne,

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development and Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Agriculture.

FAO ADG on a field visit to KIlinochchi

ADG with Hon. Basil Rajapaksa,

Minister of Economic Development

ADG with Hon. Rajitha Senaratne,

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Re-

source Development

ADG with Hon. Mahinda Yapa

Abeywardena, Minister of Agriculture

FAO Representative as guest of honour at the OPA conference

Ms Crawford with the other speakers

The annual conference of the Organization of Professional

Associations of Sri Lanka was held on 23 and 24 September

2014 at the Grand Ballroom, Galadari. The event focused on the

theme ‘Role of Agriculture in Food sovereignty and poverty

eradication’, a very relevant topic in FAOs context of working

towards zero hungry people, healthy food production systems

and environmental sustainability. FAO Representative Ms Beth

Crawford addressing the gathering, said that the latest

FAO estimates indicate that 805 million people were chronically

undernourished in 2012-2014, with insufficient food for an active

and healthy life.

Ms Crawford further stated that if we look at an economy like

Sri Lanka with more than 70% of the population living in rural

areas depending on agriculture for their livelihoods and consid-

ering that poverty runs deepest in rural areas, it is clear where

Page 6: FAO Sri Lanka News Update Issue 19 · PDF fileFAO Sri Lanka News Update -Issue 19 . ... Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General ... FAO Representative as guest of honour

6

UNYAP field visit to Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi

The members of the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP) visited Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu to observe rural

farming in agriculture, aquaculture and livestock. The YAPsters were able to gain firsthand experience on the living

conditions of the people of the said districts.

“Personally, I would not be able to visit the North and meet people like we did, if this field trip was not organized. The

importance of this trip is vast. I am sure it will help YAPsters in different ways in our future work” said a YAPster, Umesh

Moramudali.

The YAPsters observed dairy farming supported by FAO. They along with the farmers sat on a tarpaulin under a tree and

discussed the importance of well renovation for home-gardening as well as ways of commencing value addition

activities. Later the YAPsters met two youth groups at the District Agricultural Training Centre in Oddusuddan and had

discussions with them. The Young Farmers Club (YFC)

members (five males and two females) who were present

were interviewed separately.

The YAPsters were also given the opportunity to observe

seaweed culture promoted by a private company. The

team met three youth members (one male and two

females) successfully involved in seaweed cultivation, of

whom one was a university graduate. They also met the

women, who dry harvested seaweed under the sun at

their homesteads. The YAPsters were able to get an

insight into the real situation in remote areas and in

recently re-settled areas, with regard to youth facing

difficulties in continuing their livelihoods or finding

employment opportunities. The YAPsters in discussion with the villagers

Staff Professional development and knowledge

sharing workshop

The working Retreat of FAO Sri Lanka was held from

18 to 20 June 2014 at Amaya Lake, Dambulla. The

retreat brought together staff from all FAO's field offices

and project offices, with the participation of 91 local staff

members and a regional representative from Bangkok.

The main focus of the retreat was to discuss the

implementation of the Country Programme Framework

(CPF), which is FAO’s agreed plan with the government,

reflecting priority actions in the areas of crops, livestock,

fisheries and forestry. The spotlight was also on FAO’s

strategic objectives, which were given a national and

regional perspective.

Staff had the opportunity to discuss and share their

experiences, lessons learned and challenges, and

collectively decide on how to improve FAO's

future delivery of services. Staff also participated in

indoor and outdoor team building activities, and a

fun-filled evening with singing, dancing and a

mime organized to parade the talents of staff.

FAO Representation : Tel: + 94 11 2588537/2580598 / Fax: + 94 11 2587990 / Email: [email protected] / Website: www.fao.org/srilanka

‘For a world without hunger’

FAO team in Sri Lanka