As part of the ‘Climate Resilient Water, Sustainable Farming & Livelihoods: Strengthening Sri Lankan Farming Families’ Climate Resilience’ project, a practical awareness and training session was successfully conducted in Ehetuwagama, Nochchiyagama. The project is implemented by Janathakshan and funded by the Paul Liberman Family Foundation through Green Empowerment.
The training session was led by Regional Coconut Development Officers and Research Officers from the Department of Agriculture, aiming to equip local farmers with essential knowledge and techniques to improve coconut cultivation under changing climate conditions.
Participants received hands-on guidance in:
- Proper coconut planting techniques
- Fertilizer application best practices specific to coconut cultivation
- Pest management methods to protect coconut trees from damaging insects
- Understanding the government’s coconut cultivation subsidy programs, including the coconut fertilizer subsidy
The session not only increased farmers’ technical capacity but also raised awareness of available support systems and government schemes that can strengthen their agricultural resilience.
In addition to core coconut cultivation practices, the officers recommended suitable intercrops that can be grown alongside coconut trees. These suggestions were tailored to the agroecological conditions of the area and aimed at improving land productivity, income diversification, and long-term soil health, key components of climate-smart agriculture.
This initiative reflects the project’s broader goal of enhancing the livelihoods of farming families by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, building local knowledge systems, and improving resource management. Through collaborative action between farmers, government institutions, and development partners, the project continues to foster climate resilience in vulnerable farming communities.
As climate impacts intensify, training sessions like this play a vital role in equipping farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive,
