Project Detail

Biodiversity conservation through promotion of sustainable farming by Eco Conservation Organisation, Nawalapitiya

Promote bio diversity conservation in paddy farming and other agricultural practices, re-orient farmers to traditional and cultural practices in agriculture which are sustainable and environment friendly. Change attitudes of farmers on nature farming - that it is an unprofitable method of farming giving less yield and get the support of more farmers to convert to this method to ensure food security thorugh an increased yield as opposed to decreased yield, less use of chemicals in rice farming and better quality of rice.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Eco Conservation Organization

Country:

Sri lanka

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Phase 1

Grant Amount:

US$ 21,147.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 1,500.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 1,224.00

Project Number:

SRL/95/G52/012

Start Date:

1/1998

End Date:

1/2000

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Awareness biodiversity conservation in the farming lands which is an often ignored point given to farmers and other participants.

Capacity - Building Component

Capacities of over 200 farmers trained in nature farming i.e. a method that needs minimum of water, less labour intensive and without the use of chemical ferlisers, pesticides and insecticides.

Notable Community Participation

Focus of project was to give training in nature farming to farmers in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Farmers from other districts when requested were also trained.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Not relevant.

Gender Focus

Participants were mainly male farmers. However female farmers were also involved.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Sustainable farming and livelihood using this method (combination of traditional and cultural practices and modern methods of farming) was main focus of project.

Project Results

Over 100 farmers selected in three villages with at least 6 acres converted to nature farming. The project achieved the objective of approximatley 60 trained farmers practising environmentally sustainable non-chemical/non-pesticide biodiversity dependent agricultural practices such as treating weed as a resource, foliage and canopy cover encouraging the revitalisation of the lost bio-cycle for plant protection.

This project has to be treated as a pioneer effort in bio dynamic farming where not only biodiversity but also traditional cultural and religious practices as was practiced by farmers 50 years ago was revived. At the start the selected farmers were reluctant to try out the methods but as time passed they were persuaded to try out all methods. At the end of the project period they were happy, convinced and pledged to continue farming according to the training.

The farming now was seen as a 'way of life' rather than a 'business' where the method practices was 'kill and manage' for profits in the short term.

The method was also was successfully tried in dry zone farming where it gained popularity faster as the method uses little water. Farmers who are desperate for the rains to come on time and those who are dependent on irrigated water were happy to try out this method using little water.

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