FAO rehabilitates irrigation infrastructure to boost livelihood in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi

Tuesday, 29 October 2013 01:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In its efforts to support socio-economic integration and development of agricultural communities in the Northern Province, the Food and Agriculture Organization is implementing a Rs. 550 million EU funded ‘Integrated Irrigation and Agricultural Livelihood Development’ Project in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts. Sustainable food production The project will improve water resource utilisation and restore livelihoods through sustainable food production for 17,200 vulnerable farming families. Seventy two minor tanks supplying water to 2,600 Ha of irrigable farm land and 1,200 Ha of abandoned land will be rehabilitated to increase crop production. A total of 220 Farmer Organisations (FOs) will be trained in operations and maintenance, financial management, conflict management, construction management, contract management and collective crop production. Seven thousand farmers will increase and diversify into other field crops and vegetable cultivation, use improved seed varieties and learn better water management and cultivation practices. While multi cropping of groundnut and chilli has been introduced to 170 farmers during Yala 2013, procurement of improved paddy, green gram, black gram, cowpea, sesame and finger millet for Maha 2013/2014 is already in progress.

Participatory approach FAO will use a participatory approach in irrigation management ensuring farmer participation at all levels of irrigation design, development and management. FOs were chosen through a competitive bidding and selection process, to construct irrigation infrastructure under the project. FAO will improve the capacity of Government implementing partners such as the Department of Agrarian Development, Provincial Irrigation Department Northern Province, Mahaweli authority of Sri Lanka and the Department of Agriculture to ensure sustainability of production, irrigation maintenance and rehabilitation activities.