1.2 Detalhes do contato das pessoas capacitadas e instituições envolvidas na avaliação e documentação da abordagem

Nome do projeto que facilitou a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

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

Nome da(s) instituição(ões) que facilitou(ram) a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

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

Nome da(s) instituição(ões) que facilitou(ram) a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

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

Nome da(s) instituição(ões) que facilitou(ram) a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

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

Nome da(s) instituição(ões) que facilitou(ram) a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

Cargills (Ceylon) PLC (Cargills) - Sri Lanka

1.3 Condições em relação ao uso da informação documentada através de WOCAT

Quando os dados foram compilados (no campo)?

24/02/2022

O/a compilador/a e a(s) pessoa(s) capacitada(s) aceitam as condições relativas ao uso de dados documentados através da WOCAT:

Sim

2.1 Descrição curta da abordagem

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 Descrição detalhada da abordagem

Descrição detalhada da abordagem:

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 Fotos da abordagem

2.5 País/região/locais onde a abordagem foi aplicada

2.6 Datas de início e término da abordagem

2.7 Tipo de abordagem

• Baseado em projeto/programa

2.8 Principais metas/objetivos da abordagem

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 Condição que propiciam ou inibem a implementação de tecnologia/tecnologias aplicada(s) segundo a abordagem

3.1 Partes interessadas envolvidas na abordagem e seus papéis

3.2 Envolvimento do usuários de terra/comunidades locais nas diferentes fases da abordagem

	Envolvimento do usuários de terra/comunidades locais	Especifique quem estava envolvido e descreva as atividades
Iniciação/motivação	Passivo	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.
Planejamento	Nenhum	The planning phase of the approach totally governed by the RDAL project team with the assistance of the private and government sector stakeholders.
Implementação	Apoio externo	Farmers directly involved with the implementation phase of the approach.
Monitoramento/avaliação	Participativo	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	Apoio externo	The children of the farmers are given study scholarships by the private sector partner.

3.3 Fluxograma (se disponível)

3.4 Decisão sobre a seleção de tecnologia/tecnologias de GST

Especifique quem decidiu sobre a seleção de tecnologia/tecnologias a serem implementadas:

• Principalmente especialistas em GST, após consulta com usuários da terra

Explique:

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.

Especifique em que base foram tomadas as decisões:

• Avaliação de conhecimento bem documentado de GST (tomada de decisão baseada em evidências)
• Experiência pessoal e opiniões (não documentado)

4.1 Reforço das capacidades/ formação

Foi oferecida formação aos usuários da terra/outras partes interessadas?

Sim

Especifique quem foi capacitado:

• Usuários de terra

Tipo de formação:

• Em exercício
• Agricultor para agricultor
• Áreas de demonstração

Assuntos abordados:

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

Comentários:

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 Serviço de consultoria

Os usuários de terra têm acesso a um serviço de consultoria?

Sim

Especifique se foi oferecido serviço de consultoria:

• nas áreas dos usuários da terra

Descreva/comentários:

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 Fortalecimento da instituição (desenvolvimento organizacional)

As instituições foram fortalecidas ou estabelecidas através da abordagem?

• Não

4.4 Monitoramento e avaliação

Monitoramento e avaliação são partes da abordagem?

Sim

Caso afirmativo, esta documentação é destinada a ser utilizada para monitoramento e avaliação?

Sim

4.5 Pesquisa

A pesquisa foi parte da abordagem?

Não

5.1 Orçamento anual para o componente de GST da abordagem

Indique o orçamento anual para o componente de GST da abordagem em US$:

165000,00

Comentários (p. ex. principais fontes de recursos/principais doadores):

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

5.2 Apoio financeiro/material concedido aos usuários da terra

Os usuários da terra receberam apoio financeiro/material para a implementação de tecnologia/tecnologias?

Sim

Caso afirmativo, especifique tipo(s) de apoio, condições e fornecedor(es):

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 Subsídios para entradas específicas (incluindo mão-de-obra)

• Equipamento

Se a mão-de-obra pelos usuários da terra foi uma entrada substancial, isso foi:

• Pago em dinheiro

5.4 Crédito

Foi concedido crédito segundo a abordagem para atividades de GST?

Sim

Especifique as condições (taxa de juros, reembolso, etc):

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

Especifique os fornecedores de crédito:

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

Especifique os destinatários do crédito:

Farmers

5.5 Outros incentivos ou instrumentos

Foram utilizados outros incentivos ou instrumentos para promover a implementação das tecnologias de GST?

Sim

Caso afirmativo, especifique:

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 Impactos da abordagem

6.2 Principal motivação dos usuários da terra para implementar a GST

6.3 Atividades de sustentabilidade de abordagem

Os usuários da terra podem manter o que foi implementado através da abordagem (sem apoio externo)?

• Sim

Caso afirmativo, descreva como:

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 Pontos fortes/vantagens da abordagem

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do usuário da terra
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.

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada
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 Pontos fracos, desvantagens da tecnologia e formas de superá-los

Pontos fracos/desvantagens/riscos na visão do usuário da terra	Como eles podem ser superados?
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.

Pontos fracos/vantagens/riscos na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada	Como eles podem ser superados?
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 Métodos/fontes de informação

7.2 Referências às publicações disponíveis

Título, autor, ano, ISBN:

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

Disponível de onde? Custos?

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

Título, autor, ano, ISBN:

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

Disponível de onde? Custos?

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

Título, autor, ano, ISBN:

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

7.3 Links para informação relevante que está disponível online

Título/ descrição:

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

Título/ descrição:

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

Título/ descrição:

Sl-GAP certification portal

URL:

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