Chandrika and Nishanthi have adopted Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for their vegetable production

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka - When Chandrika Kumari together with her sister-in-law, Nishanthi Sri Nissanka decided to start a vegetable cultivation nearly seven years ago, the two former housewives had to learn everything on the job while actively seeking knowladge related to agriculture. They started vegetable farming in a small way on an approximately two acre plot of land adjacent to Nishanthi’s home. The women are residents of Adikarigama located in the Nuwara Eliya district, a district renowned for up-country vegetable cultivation but also where land degradation is a major threat. Approximately 50 percent of agricultural lands in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, including Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Kandy districts are degraded.

They mainly cultivate vegetables such as bitter gourd, beans, snake gourd, luffa, tomatoes and chilies but also grow fruit trees like papaya and soursop which are mainly used for household consumption. Vegetables for their household needs are also sourced from the field.

The Agriculture Instructors in the village took notice of their field three years ago and encouraged Chandrika and Nishanthi to expand their cultivation with crops that could be produced all year around for the local market and also for exports. The Agriculture Instructors attached to the Department of Agriculture linked the women with the Food and Agriculture Orgaization of the United Nations (FAO) and Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, where they were introduced to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are set of principles, regulations and technical recommendations applicable to production, processing and food transport, ensuring safety and quality of produce in the supply chain. It enbales capturing new market advantages by modifying supply chain governance, improving natural resources use, worker health and working conditions and creating new market opportunities for farmers and exporters.

The Rehabilitation of Degraded Agricultural Lands Project (RDALP) of the FAO promotes sustainable land management in the Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Kandy districts through land restoration technologies and best practices. Farmers are trained to adopt Sustainable Land Management (SLM) which is an integeral part of GAP certification. It also encourges public-private partnership and private sector investments in Sustainable Land Management. In partnership with Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, marketing agreements and a technology package were developed to include many solutions for soil and water management, pest and disease management, reduction of labour cost and value addition. Farmers were supported with inputs such as insect proof nets, plastic multches and micro irrigation systems.

The RDALP funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), intitally trained 80 farmers on SLM best practices and GAP principles. Under the program the farmers are trained on soil conservation technologies, fertilizer application based on soil testing, conservation of water sources and catchment areas.

The GAP certification ensures that farm products meet quality standards as well as being environmentally friendly, socially acceptable and economically profitable for the farmers. Agriculture Extension Officers of the DoA work closely with the farmers and ensure that GAP principles are applied in all stages of production. Farmer trainings on Good Agricultural Practices through Farmer Field Schools were implemented with nine field schools conducted for over 170 farmers. These farmers have now formed WhatsApp groups under the administration of Agriculture Extension Officers and continue to exchange knowledge and advice through their mobile phone devices.

“We learnt about the importance of producing food with minimum use of agro-chemicals and also about conserving soil and water resources,” says Chandrika. “From applying fertilizers haphazardly and using hoses to water the crops which results in excessive water use and soil erosion, we have now changed these practices.”

Plastic mulches with a drip irrigation system is installed in the field. Chadrika adds that the drip  irrigation  system  resolved  the  water issue, which was a major challenge.  Chandrika and Nishanthi have also seen a significant reduction in labour costs, as the women previously depended on labourers who were mostly men. “We can now cultivate three or four cropping seasons a year in the same beds without land preparation. There is less time spent on weeding and we do not need labour all throughout the day for farming,” Chandrika said.

“Since we use insect-proof nets for the crops there are less issues with pests and therefore less pesticide used. By adopting these practices we save money and can manage our time and effort well. We see farming as an interesting and decent job now” notes Chandrika.

The vegetables harvested from Chandrika and Nishanthi’s farm are purchased by Cargills (Ceylon) PLC at collection centers and sold at the special stalls for GAP certified food in its supermarkets across the country. Since joining the GAP programme, Chadrika and Nishanthi’s farm has yielded an annual profit of LKR 400 000 from three seasons of cultivation compared to an average profit of LKR 150 000  from cultivating only a single season previously. This has enabled Chandrika to financially support her family and to accelarate construction work of her house.

Chandrika and her sister-in-law Nishanthi have not only gained knowledge on sustainable farming practices but their respect for the environment has also grown.  “The natural resources we work with as farmers like the land, soil and water are the lifeblood of our farm,” adds Chandrika. “It is our duty to ensure that least harm is done to the environment when we engage in farming because agriculture is linked directly to the environment. We need to conserve the environment for our children and future generations, and to ensure that our farm can continue to produce a bountiful and healthy harvest for our families, neighbors and the country.”