Support for Farmers in Central Province
Our recent mission reached over 100 farmers with essential agriculture supplies and knowledge camp.
The Challenge
Farmers in the Central Province face a triple threat: erratic rainfall, rising input costs, and soil degradation. Over 60% of smallholders rely on rain-fed paddy and vegetable cultivation, yet annual yields have dropped by nearly 30% over the past five years. Many lack access to modern techniques, quality seeds, or affordable credit.
Our Intervention
Since January 2024, we have partnered with the Department of Agriculture and three local farmer cooperatives to deliver a holistic support package:
- Training programs: Monthly workshops on integrated pest management, organic composting, and water conservation.
- Seed distribution: Drought-resistant paddy varieties and high-yield vegetable seeds provided to 450 families.
- Tool banks: Shared access to tillers, sprayers, and post-harvest equipment for villages without individual ownership.
- Market linkages: Direct connections to wholesale buyers, reducing middleman margins by 25%.
Impact So Far
In the first six months, we have:
- Increased average paddy yield by 18% among participating farms.
- Reduced chemical pesticide use by 40% through natural alternatives.
- Helped 120 farmers secure bank loans with our credit guarantee.
- Established two farmer field schools that continue to train new members.
“Before this program, I was losing half my crop to pests. Now I know how to protect it without expensive chemicals.” – Karunawathi, smallholder farmer, Matale
Looking Ahead
We are expanding to three more villages in the dry zone and introducing a mobile advisory service via SMS. Our goal is to reach 1,000 farmers by the end of 2025 and build a self-sustaining network of peer trainers.
Get Involved
You can support farmers by donating to our seed fund or volunteering to help with workshops. Contact our agriculture team at [email protected] for more details.