4 million euro initiative to improve sustainability of paddy farming in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations launched a four million euro initiative to improve the efficiency and sustainability of paddy farming in Sri Lanka.

The four million Euro which is approximately 1.5 Billion Rupees funded by the EU was initiated at an event held at the Technology Park in Hambanthota under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera, European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka H.E. Denis Chaibi and FAO Representative in Sri Lanka Vimlendra Sharan.

Implemented by FAO with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Mahaweli Authority, the programme targets 71,000 smallholder paddy farmers and 1,200 paddy seed farmers across seven districts including Polonnaruwa, Badulla, Ampara, Matale, Puttalam, Kurunegala and Hambantota districts who were severely impacted by the recent economic crisis.

The recipient farmers will receive material and technical support to transfer from traditional cultivation methods to climate-smart, modern farming techniques

The eligible paddy farmers cultivating up to 0.5 ha of land will receive 50 kg of urea fertilizer and necessary tools to enhance the efficiency of fertilizer use.