INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) together with the Department of Agriculture and the Mahaweli Authority of
Sri Lanka, with funding from the European Union (EU), has launched a Farmer Field Schools Program to train 6,000 smallholder paddy farmers
across four key rice-growing districts on sustainable approaches to paddy cultivation.The 6,000 farmers from Ampara, Badulla, Hambantota and
Polonnaruwa districts will be trained by Agriculture Extension Officers on applying the Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (IPNM) approach
in their paddy cultivation to promote the efficient use of fertilizers, water and other inputs.By adopting IPNM and more efficient use of
chemical fertilizers, smallholder paddy farmers can reduce costs and improve productivity, leading to better profitability and resilience to
future shocks.Many paddy farmers in Sri Lanka rely on traditional cultivation methods, often exceeding the recommended amounts of
fertilizers provided by the Department of Agriculture without a full understanding of the respective soil nutrient requirements of their
fields.To address these challenges, the Farmer Field School program will facilitate soil testing and efficient fertilizer use through IPNM
practices, emphasizing soil management, compost, and biochar production.The program will also focus on implementing good agronomic practices
including using high-quality seeds, proper land preparation, the parachute method for seed broadcasting, efficient water management, and
effective weed, pest, and disease management, all integral components of IPNM practices.All the above-mentioned activities are being
million in funding from the EU to tackle the vulnerability of the food security system in Sri Lank
The project aims to respond to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka by protecting smallholder farmer livelihoods through the safe and efficient
use of fertilizer along with boosting the production of quality paddy seeds for better productivity in paddy farming.The launch of the
Farmer Field Schools comes after 289 Agriculture Extension Officers were trained with the necessary skills and knowledge to guide 6,000
paddy farmers on IPNM practices to enhance yields while reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers.The Agriculture Extension Officers will
act as facilitators and work with the selected farmers to adapt appropriate exercises relevant to their local conditions.Through the
implementation of sustainable farming practices, including the safe and efficient use of fertilizer and quality seeds, RiceUP aims to
