Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu farmers get livelihood boost from FAO

Monday, 27 April 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pookulam after rehabilitation

Pookulam during rehabilitation Under the recently-completed project on ‘Integrated Irrigation and Agricultural Livelihood Development in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts’, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU), agricultural-based livelihoods for vulnerable farming households were developed, including irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation, improved water resource utilisation and crop diversification. This three-year project was implemented jointly with the Provincial Departments of Irrigation and Agriculture of the Northern Province (NP), the Department of Agrarian Development (DoAD) and the District Secretariats. The project rehabilitated minor tanks and abandoned lands, revitalised community-based Farmer Organisations (FOs), increased agricultural production of vulnerable farmers through supply of quality seeds of improved varieties and provision of technical training for farmers and agricultural extension staff onwater management and improved farming techniques. Thevipuram tank is one of the tanks which wasrehabilitated by this project. “As a result of the rehabilitation of this tank, we, the farming community, now havefresh water from our wells even in the seasons of drought. We make use of this water for our paddy cultivation, for cattle bathing and drinking. The spill water has been diverted into a pond in the jungle to cultivate banana and groundnut,” said KandaiyaKrishnapillai, President of the ThevipuramFarmer Organisation. “Well-functioning tanks and rehabilitated lands are not only critical for agricultural activities, but lie at the heart of the livelihoods for these families, especially female-headed households, who have returned to their native places,” said Beth Crawford, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.