A number of nutritional awareness programmes were conducted by these Community Medical Officers attached to the Provincial Department of Ayuveda in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka targeting mostly pre-school children of pre-schools, their mothers and families in villages where we conduct food security related activities with the objective of improving their nutrition levels. These nutrition related prorgammes were conducted in collaboration with Caritas SED Galle.
We are most grateful to Mr Gerard Chitty of Irasil Foundaiton of Australia for granting financial assistance to improve the quality of paddy seeds to increase rice production of paddy lands in Hambantota District in Sri Lanka.
We have identified many issues in relation to agriculture especially in paddy farming. One main issue is Inadequate income to cover expenditure due to increase in agricultural input prices. Due to the present economic crisis, inability to purchase high-quality seeds has resulted in the decline of yield significantly. The service charges of tractors and harvesters have also increased three times due to increase in fuel cost. Falling prices of paddy at harvest time, exploitation due to monopoly by large-scale traders and increase in wages for workers are some of other issues faced by farmers.
A Training Programme on production of vermicompost (worm manure) was conducted on
3rd May 2023 by Mr Rasika Rukshan ( one of the very experienced farmers in Hiyare who has
achieved a remarkable success in producing vermicompost). This programme was conducted
at a model farm belonging to Mr Kalinga at Kanampitiya . A total of 40 Members of Arunalu
Agrcultural Society, farmers in and around Kanampitiya participated at this programme
organized by Caritas SED Galle.
We have established a Model Home Garden at Caritas SED Galle Premises as a Production Model .
This Model Home Garden has now become a well-developed Home Garden. This was developed
under the Food Security Project (Addressing Causes for Poverty and Ensuring Food Security
Security for Farming Communities in Sri Lanka) funded by Caritas Norway/NORAD.
The Project of “Addressing Causes for Poverty and Ensuring Food Security for Farming Communities” funded by Caritas Norway is being implemented by Caritas SED Galle to establish 2000 Home gardens in Galle, Matara and Hambantota Districts. The Home Vegetable Garden Program seeks to increase access to healthy food for low income residents through establishing home gardens and providing one on one garden support at family homes, Community Knowledge Centers, Schools and Religious Institutions. Program participants are provided free seedlings, seeds, and other necessary tools and supplies as well. As necessary trainings, home gardening provide participants with opportunities to build resilience through increased community engagement, opportunities for inter-generational experience and improvements in their health from exercise and increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
This partnership (Between University of Colombo Institute for Agro-technology and Rural Sciences, ,Weligatta and Caritas SED Galle &) will be paired with a garden mentor to provide extra support to help them reach their goals, whether it be help with water management, soil erosion control, pest management, or spending more time with their families outside.
CBO leaders, members, farmers and 6 Agricultural Development & Research Assistants attached to different Agricultural Zones in Hambantota District and Caritas SED Galle staff went on an exposure visit to a large Agricultural Farm at Pannala belonging to Mr Premaratne (a Resource Person) on 11th and 12th February 2023...
A Capacity Building Training Programme was conducted at Government Agricultural Farm at Labuduwa under “Food Security Project – Addressing Causes for Poverty and Ensuring Food Security For Farming communities) on 15th February 2023...
A practical training programme on home garden development was conducted at Hiyare, Galle on 26.02. 2023 under the Food Security Project..
The World Food Day which fell on 16th October 2022 added significance to Sri Lanka this year as it faces an acute food crisis. The World Food Progrmmme has said that 6.3 million people or over 30 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population are “food insecure”and require humanitarian assistance. In the meantime the United Nations has issued an international appeal to help Sri Lanka overcome the present food crisis.
Caritas Sed Galle Commemorated the world food day on the 18.10. 22 at 'Thalaraba Temple, Mirissa, Matara, 20.10.22 at Magedara school, Yakkalamulla, Galle & 21.10.22 at Vijaya primary school, Welangahawala, Barawakubuke, Hambantota.
Assistance to a C.B.O. member of Karagoda for developing the 'Nursery' (Project: Addressing Causes for pverty & ensuring food security for farming Communities)
Assistance for Opening out a new market place by a C.B.O. member at Hiyare, Akkmeemana, Galle(Project: Addressing Causes for pverty & ensuring food security)
