1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Rehabilitation of Degraded Agricultural Lands in Kandy, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya Districts in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - Italy

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (AGRI.PDN) - Sri Lanka

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka (DOA) - Sri Lanka

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Cargills (Ceylon) PLC (Cargills) - Sri Lanka

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

24/02/2022

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

2.1 Short description of the Approach

A private-public partnership overcomes constraints that vegetable farmers encounter when adopting novel SLM technologies and Good Agricultural Practices. The private sector helps with marketing, value addition, certification, and financial support. The public sector fulfils farmer training needs through (for example) Farmer Field Schools using digital platforms.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

This approach was implemented in vegetable growing lands in hilly and rolling terrain, where the average annual rainfall is relatively high: Wet zone (>2500 mm) Intermediate zone (1750-2500 mm-short dry periods). Controlling soil erosion is crucial in these regions. Further, overuse and misuse of agrochemicals are common among the farmers. On the other hand, farmers experience lack of market opportunities, lack of technical and financial support and water scarcity in the intermediate zone which restricts farming to 1 or 2 cropping cycles. This approach aims to support vegetable growers by providing financial and technical support to implement technologies to minimize soil erosion and increase fertilizer and water use efficiencies, while providing adequate market opportunities and product value addition.
In the field, the following technologies were implemented as a package: plastic mulch, terracing, drip irrigation systems, fertigation units and insect proof nets. Furthermore, capacity development programs were implemented along with continuous monitoring, financial support was provided to adopt the technologies. The market opportunity was expanded via value addition through “GAP-certification" (GAP = Good Agricultural Practices) and facilitating easy and secured access to market via private sector involvement.
By adopting this technological package farmers were able to reduce the fertilizer use by about 70-80 % via "fertigation" - that is fertilizer mixed in irrigation water. Further, the pest attacks and need of insecticides were significantly reduced due to insect proof nets. The weed growth was negligible due to the plastic mulch which reduced the labour cost significantly as previously, farmers used to control weeds manually. Soil erosion was minimal due to plastic mulch used over the contour terraces. The water use efficiency was improved via drip irrigation and the farming was not affected by the short drought periods. The overall cost reduction that the farmers experience by adopting this technological package was about 20%. Further, the yield increase was about 20%, which raised the profit by 30%. Proper use of pesticides with adequate safety measures and safe disposal of the pesticide containers are mandatory to be qualified for GAP-certification. Farmers that adopt this approach collect pesticide containers in a designated place in the farm.

The implementation of the approach was as follows:
1.Discussions between Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO) and Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka (DOA) to develop a private-public partnership (PPP).
2.Call for proposals from private sector supermarket owners and exporters.
3.The proposal of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC was accepted.
4.Areas with easy access to Cargill’s vegetable collection centers were selected for the pilot programme, namely Haguranketha and Nuwarleiya, Boralanda and Bandarawela.
5.Eighty progressive farmers who had been providing vegetables for the already established vegetable collection centers were selected for the initial program.
6.Farmer awareness programs and Farmer Field Schools were conducted on the technological package, the GAP certification process and market arrangements.
7.The technical package was installed in farmers’ fields. Farmers were supported financially to obtain raw materials and cover the capital cost (for polythene, drip irrigation systems, insect-proof nets and accessories, fertilizers and pesticides). The cost estimated to implement the package was Rs. 300,000 for quarter of an acre (Rs. 2.96 million/ha = approx. UD$ 8950/ha). Cargills and the FAO funded RDAL (Rehabilitation of degraded agricultural lands in the central highlands of Sri Lanka) shared 2/3 of the material cost. The rest of the cost was borne by the farmer. Cargills Bank provided low interest loans to farmers to cover their share of the capital cost.
8.Continuous monitoring and capacity development and motivational programs were implemented via field visits and WhatsApp groups.
9.GAP-certification was provided for the vegetables.
10.A market was provided by Cargills with a guaranteed 10% premium above the standard rate.
11.Alongside the implementation processes, other developments took place. These included: supply of fertilizers and pesticides to farmers and provision of study scholarships for children of the farmers by Cargills.

The limitations of the approach are as follows: first, reluctance of the farmers to follow the rigorous record-keeping process necessary to obtain the GAP-certification; second, the absence of a proper methodology to recycle or upcycle the pesticide containers; third, the on-going lack of consumer awareness about the GAP-certified products.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

This approach aims to support vegetable growers by providing financial and technical support to implement technologies to minimize soil erosion and increase fertilizer and water use efficiencies, while providing adequate market opportunities and product value addition via GAP-certification.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	passive	Though the progressive farmers were selected from the farmers who sell their produce to the Cargills (Ceylon) PLC collection centres at the initial phase of the project, new farmers were motivated to implement the approach when they observed the success of the neighbouring farmers.
planning	none	The planning phase of the approach totally governed by the RDAL project team with the assistance of the private and government sector stakeholders.
implementation	external support	Farmers directly involved with the implementation phase of the approach.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	Farmers were actively involved with the monitoring and evaluation process of the approach by discussing the problem faced by them and finding solutions with the help of AIs. Farmers collectively shared their experience and those feedback helped for the evaluation process of the approach.
Expansion	external support	The children of the farmers are given study scholarships by the private sector partner.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users

Explain:

Selection of technologies to be implemented in the approach was done based on the discussions between the FAO representatives, DOA officials and Cargills (Ceylon) PLC. AIs of DOA have been closely working with the farmers; hence, their experience was very helpful to select the best technologies to be implemented in farmer fields.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)
• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Ja

Specify who was trained:

• land users

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas

Subjects covered:

Establishment and maintenance of GAP technology in farmer fields, irrigation management (drip irrigation), pests and disease management, fertilizer application through drip irrigation (fertigation), post-harvest technology, nursery management

Comments:

Training programs mainly focused on establishment and maintenance of technology package according to standards and identification of pest and disease problems. Training programs are held in fields as farmer field schools. Those training programs are organized and conducted by AIs of the DOA and Agricultural Officers of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC. A training program provides information from the establishment of the technological package to harvesting of the fresh produce

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Ja

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

AIs of DOA and agricultural officers of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC visit farmers frequently to guide farmers and train them for better management of the technologies in the field

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Ja

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Ja

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Nee

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

Indicate the annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach in US$:

165000.00

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

FAO and Cargills (Ceylon) PLC are main sources of funding to implement the approach

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Ja

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

At the implementation, the farmers receive materials worth of 260,000 LKR, which consists of drip irrigation system, plastic mulch and insect proof net. This covers 2/3 of the cost of implementation. The rest of the cost, mostly the labor cost, is borne by the farmer. The farmer was given the choice of receiving a low interest loan through Cargills Agro-development Company and Cargills Bank, the subsidiaries of Cargillls (Ceylon) PLC to cover their share of the capital cost.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• paid in cash

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Ja

Specify conditions (interest rate, payback, etc.):

The interest rate of the loan is 8%, repayable in 2 years with a grace period of 6 months

Specify credit providers:

The loan is provided through Cargills Agro-development Company and Cargills Bank, subsidiaries of Cargillls (Ceylon) PLC

Specify credit receivers:

Farmers

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Ja

If yes, specify:

If yes, specify: Cargills (Ceylon) PLC prioritize the project farmers when purchasing the produce at collection centres and also they provide packing and branding materials under Cargill’s Good Harvest Brand. A 20% extra payment, above the normal purchasing price, is made for GAP-Certified, ‘Good Harvest’ branded products, subject to a minimum and maximum amounts of Rs. 10.00 and Rs. 30.00 per kg respectively.

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

The assurance of the market for value added products via well-established market chain of the Cargills (Ceylon) PLC is a major reason behind the sustainability of the approach.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Increased vegetable production compared to the conventional and traditional agricultural management practices.
Reduced cost for labour for establishment of the crop, irrigation, pesticide application, weeding and for other maintenance activities.
Financial benefit obtained by the lower requirement of fertilizers and agrochemicals
The number of cropping cycles was increased in regions where short drought periods exist.
Selling the produce for a higher price due to value addition via certification.
Minimizes the involvement of middlemen in selling farmer’s produce for market helps to increase the farmer’s profit and also benefits the seller, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, ultimately the consumer.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Minimum soil erosion due to use of plastic mulch and terraces. The lands are susceptible for erosion by water due to relatively high rainfall intensity and the hilly-rolling terrain. The control of soil erosion is curial to maintain sustainable land use in the region.
The inorganic fertilizer use was reduced by 70-80%. Use of pesticides was significantly reduced. Soil nutrient enrichment and pollution of soil and water sources were minimal.
Increased vegetable production helps for the food security of the country.
Improves the quality of the fresh produce.
Increased water use efficiency.
Uplifting the quality of life among the rural farming community.
Attraction of young community for farming.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Maintaining the technology under field conditions is difficult due to the cause of natural factors (eg: High winds break the insect proof net).	The effect of natural factors on structures of the technology can be minimized by establishing those structures suitable for specific natural conditions. Live wind breakers (Rows of trees) can be established.
Discard of plastic materials (insect proof net and plastic mulch) when their lifespan is over.	Implementation of waste disposal method is required and need to look for possible recycling options.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The farmers of older generation are somewhat reluctant to adopt the approach, mainly because of rigorous record keeping process	This can be overcome by conducting advisory programs and extension services targeting specific groups of farming communities
Requirement of more financial support to cover the capital	Provide more subsidies and loans
Lack of consumer awareness about "Gap-certified products"	Advertising

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Crop production under GAP certification, Seed certification service, Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka, 2019 (in Sinhala language)

Available from where? Costs?

Freely available at the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka Website: https://doa.gov.lk/scs-gap-certification/

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Good Agricultural Practices for Solanaceae family crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka, 2016 (in Sinhala language)

Available from where? Costs?

Freely available at the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka Website: https://doa.gov.lk/scs-gap-certification/

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Sustainable Land Management through GAP certification (Project proposal), Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, April-2019

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Good agriculture practices (GAP) certification (in Healthy Soil Matters). Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations, Sri Lanka

URL:

https://sricat.net/images/Healthy-Soil-Matters---English-compressed.pdf

Title/ description:

An interview on implementation of the approach among vegetable cultivating farmers in upcountry. It gives information on involvement and roles of different sectors to popularize the approach among farmers.

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qChXPYnb0Wc

Title/ description:

Sl-GAP certification portal

URL:

http://www.slgap.doa.gov.lk/