The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partner with Provincial Department of Agriculture and Department of Agrarian Development, Kilinochchi organized a field day in Kilinochchi where high officials from the Department of Agriculture (Ext), members of The Further Farmer Organization (FO) and neighbouring farmers participated. In aid to this event a groundnut cultivation technique was arranged on 18th August 2016 at Puthuiyankulan by FO to show the profitability of growing other food crops (OFC) in paddy land.

The Department Of Agriculture selected beneficiaries and recommended ground nut seeds for crop diversification in the paddy land. The FAO project procured Tissa variety of ground nut seeds and distributed them among farmers of Puthuiyankulam minor irrigation tank. The beneficiaries were also provided with technical trainings to create awareness among them on recommended practices.

Groundnut harvesting methods were shown for observation and inspection and this was the first time farmers were introduced to cultivating OFC crops, in replacement of paddy during the dry season.  They were made aware of the benefits of crop diversification in paddy land, and were motivated to expand the cultivation further in upcoming seasons. The average ground nut yield recorded is 700 kg/ ac, which is above the district average of 600 Kg/ac. The crop is also considered accommodating as it isn’t affected by prolonged drought conditions and floods.

As another step to this mission the Dept. of Agrarian Development, Kilinochchi demarcated the land for crop diversification in paddy land where the FAO project provided barbed wire to erect common boundary fences of the paddy land. This enabled them to protect the dry season crops without damage from stray animals, as this was the main constraint the community faces when trying to extend the other food crop (OFC) cultivation during dry season.

FO has identified additional areas that require FAOs assistance, such as renovating water channel to develop access and construct an agro well in order to provide irrigation during the end of the dry season.

 While FAO starts working on these requirements about 36 beneficiaries received seed assistance from FAO in Puthuiyankulam under crop diversification component of GCP/SRL/069/CAN project.