Review of UPA activities in Gampaha, Sri Lanka: lessons learned

Thilak T. Ranasinghe

ELEMENTS OF THE PTESENTATION

•  Work of UPA in Sri Lanka •  The concept of the Family Business

Garden (FBG) •  CFF- MPAP Process •  Current Attempts •  Future Plans

WORK OF UPA

Vision

To be engaged in a process of sustainable agricultural development that helps to induce socio-economic advancement in the Western Province.

Mission

To continue corporate attempts of government, non-government and private sector in the field of extension and training methodologies with agricultural operators of the base of sustainable agricultural development sphere that suits socio-economic-ecological conditions of the Western Province.

Western Province Department of Agriculture (WPDOA)

Objectives 1.  Adoption of agro-technological development process to develop human resources and entrepreneurship.

2. Contributions for poverty reduction and increasing gross domestic production of selected crops through productivity improvement.

3. Execution of statues, acts and regulations that favour the improvement of environment friendly integrated agricultural

practices.

4. Implementation of corporate development attempts with government, non-government and private sector towards the development of commercial agriculture.

5. Advancement in productivity levels of urban and sub-urban

agricultural production units.

6. Utilization of media and target-group participation in the process of technology development.

Agricultural Development Themes of

the Western Province! (Five Year Plan of the Western Province:2006-2010)

•  Productivity Improvement •  Promotion of new improved technology •  Popularization of Commercial Agriculture &

value added products •  Reduction of environmental losses &

protection of environment •  Development of family nutrition & Urban

Agriculture

Agricultural Development Programmes of

the Western Province! (Five Year Plan of the Western Province:2006-2010)

•  Major crop production Activities •  Agricultural Productivity Improvement

Integrated Movement (APPIM) •  Vocational Agricultural Training (VAT)

Improvements •  Development of Family Business Gardens

(FBG) •  Ago-Entrepreneurship development (LAID,

AMEST, ITTE, QTP, HRD-ISTI)

Introduced on the World Environment Day - 5th June 2000

Department of Agriculture, Western Province, Sri Lanka

The Concept of the Family Business Garden (FBG)

To convert aspect of gardening into theoretically based sustainable agri-business concept.

To address some poverty issues in generating additional income for food security.

To work with better-mix of modern science and indigenous technical know-how (ITK).

To make contributions for attempts to improve socio-economic-health- environment aspects of urban communities.

i. Family Nutrition

ii. Technology Adoption

iii. Crop Management

iv. Post-Harvest Technology & Value Addition

v. Landscaping & Housekeeping

ENVIRONMENTAL / COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

Item Face Value Core Value 1. Main Petal/ Circle & centre Nutrition centered / receptacle good dietary habits

2. Other petals Different in size Scales of interventions & shape could be different

3. Petal fixation Uneven distance Interests are different from one to one

4. Petals + stalk Detached No fixed model

5. Stalk/s Dual-curved stalk Elasticity in approach

6. Why a flower Attractive & simple From Child to Elderly & use of Creativity

“Knowledge Management” process of the concept of the Family Business Garden

(FBG)

CONTINUUM

Reuse Contexts

WISDOM

Store Principles

KNOWLEDGE

Sort Patterns

INFORMATION

Capture Relations

DATA

Methodology in promoting

the concept of the FBG

! Go for Vertical Space with ”Living Structures”

! Select Nutritional & Favorite Crops / Livestock (Vegetable, Fruits, Flowers, Yams, Spice, Medicine) (Chicken, Quails, Turkey, Dairy, Rabbit, Fish)

! Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices

Cultivation Bags (Hanging & Standing)

Introduced with Cultivation Tower & Hydroponics Boxes, in 2000 Cultivation Arch

Portable Cultivation Tower

Cultivation Frames Cultivation Cages Later Inclusions :-

Cultivation Bottles

Cultivation Walls

Cultivation Fences Cultivation Racks

Cultivation Umbrella Cultivation Antenna

Cultivation Ladder

Cultivation Net

Edible Airscape

Cultivation Pyramid

Cultivation Tat

Cultivation Lantern Cultivation Cradle Cultivation Holder

Cultivation Pocket

Cultivation Bangle

Micro Irrigation Methods:- Abandon Dextrose bottles cum tubes

Bottle irrigation

!  Available Members & Money

!  Select recommended / new crops / livestock / systems

!  Prepare for future market forces ( work in Groups)

New crops: Dragon Fruit

Group Actions

OMEGA GARDENS

ACQUAPONICS

AEROPONICS

ORGANOPONICS BIOROPE TECHNOLOGY

Potential Scientific Technological Opportunities

! Management of Soil / Water / Pests / Light or Shade / Waste

! Recycling of plant Nutrients

! Integrated farming

! Concern of quality than quantity

! Produce & product diversification to match consumer demands

! Concentration of marketing standards / regulations / Laws /Acts

! Physical as well as Mental Health promotion along with agro-entrepreneurship

! Land / Airscaping and home management principles – “5S System”

! Application of Gender equality / women issues

! Development of Business Plans

Leaflets, Stickers & Posters

15th Nov. 2007 05th June,2000

Communication Methods & Achievements:-

Demonstrations & Information Centre Services

Promotions in School Agricultural activities with enthusiasm

•  Statement -29 Implement a special urban agriculture promotion

program designed to ensure supply of home consumption needs and environmental protection.

*

Influence the National Policy for Urban Agricultural initiatives

•  Statement -17 17.1 Promote home-gardening and urban agriculture

to enhance household nutrition and income 17.2 Promote women’s participation in home-gardening.

1. www.cityfarmer.org/colombo/html

2. www.cinlk.org/vegetable

3. www.squarefootgardening.com/SriLanka.htm

4. www.iwmi.cgiar.org/southasia/ruaf/Partner.html

5. www.freewebs.com/mawot/fbg/FBG – Flash.exe

6. www.freewebs.com/mawot/fbg/fbg.htm

International Publications:-

From 15th May, 2007 – URBAN GREEN AREA (06.30 -07.00 p.m. Sinhala Programme in Every Sunday))

International Integrations

ICRC

Square Foot Gardening Foundation

U.S.A.

Knowledge Management & Networking processes

Field Dialogues / Clinics Practical Training Sessions

Action Research Promotions “Extension Street Walks”

Extension Street Walks

“Experience Agriculture” : Promotional Week

23rd – 29th April, 2007

CFF – MPAP PROCESS

(Progress in Steps)

1.  Orientation Through key informants

at Regional Seminar on

Urban Agriculture: Partnering for Poverty Alleviation

Hotel Topaz, Kandy, Sri Lanka 6 - 7 April, 2006

2. Visit by Regional Partner (20th September, 2006)

-  Identified WPDOA as Key stakeholder in UA in Sri Lanka

-  Their interest in and potential contributions to the MPAP

- Co- operation agreement and decide which municipality

CULTIVATION TRI-POD

CULTIVATION CONSORTIUM

NEW ADDITIONS FROM INDIA

Invitation to conduct TOT on Low/No Space Techniques in UA

3. Establishment of the core team and work planning - Development work plan for the various

awareness , training and planning activities Inception Seminar – 22nd May, 2007 in GAMPAHA

Participatory Agencies •  WPDOA – (Leading organization) •  Gampaha Municipal Council •  Department of Agrarian Services •  Department of Botanical Gardens •  Department of health (WP) •  Department of Education (WP) •  Department of Animal Production & Health (WP) •  District Thrift & Credit Co-operative Society (SANASA) •  Urban Development Authority •  Road Development Authority •  Department of Irrigation •  SEVANATHA – Urban Resource Centre •  Vagavota Agro Services Private Company

4. Training of Trainers In Hyderabad, India ( 19th - 25th June, 2007) - 7 participants for 7 days with Indian Counter parts

Boosting Discussion Sessions facilitated by WPDOA at Gampaha from 02nd July, 2007

5. MPAP training block – 1 (In Gampaha : 25th - 28th July, 2007) •  25 persons during 1 week

–  UA concepts , benefits \ risks, MPAP process, Situation analysis – steps \ tools.

Formation of the Core Group: Urban Green Force – Gampaha

(Nagarika Haritha Balakaya - Gampaha) •  WPDOA – (Leading organization) •  Gampaha Municipal Council •  Department of Agrarian Services •  Department of Botanical Gardens •  Department of health (WP) •  Department of Education (WP) •  Department of Animal Production & Health (WP) •  District Thrift & Credit Co-operative Society

(SANASA)

Core Area of the GMC (Six Grama Niladari Divisions)

•  1. Medagama I •  2. Medagama II •  3. Medagama III •  4. Medagama IV •  5. Bendiyamulla North •  6. Bendiyamull East

Growth of population in the MC area 1981-2001

Locality Land area Km2 1981 population

2001 population

Percentage Increase/decrease

Gampha Town Former UC area

2.58 10656 9438 -11.5

New Territories: 27 new GN divisions

24.42 26502 47999 +81.11

Total 27.5 37158 57429 +54.6

Land Use and Economic Base Land use – core area ( former UC area)

Land use Extent of land Percentage

Residential 150.16 58.20

Commercial 11.02 4.27

Industrial 2.09 0.82

Play grounds &park 4.59 1.77

Major & minor roads 41.28 16.00

Water bodies 4.19 1.62

Paddy lands 1.44 0.55

Plantations 29.82 11.56

Forest resources 3.80 1.47 Vacant land owned by state/government institutes

9.56 3.71

Total 258.00 100.00

Schools in the Core Area

•  Ysodara Balika M.V •  Siddartha M.V •  Rathnawali B.M.V •  Bandaranayaka M.V •  Gothamee B.M.V •  Thakshila M.V •  Sribodi P.C •  Gajaba P.C

Present status of Schools in the Core Area

•  All schools teach agriculture as a subject •  Yasodara B.M.V, Rathnawalee B.M.V. &

Bandaranayka M.V. teach Agriculture subject for A/L students

•  All schools form “Parisara Kamitu” •  Solid waste disposal is still not in satisfactory

levels •  All schools maintain somewhat beautiful

compounds by growing flower plants

Ten Leading Causes of Mortality in Gampaha

Name of the Diseases No of deaths Alcoholic liver diseases 292 Cerebroavascular diseases 189 Heart failure 159 Acute myocardial infraction 150 Other ischemic heart diseases 114 Toxic effect of organophosphate and carbamate insecticide

62

Other heart diseases 57 Other diseases of liver 47 Pneumonia 45

Types of crops

Paddy (RICE)

Age Recommended Varieties

3 months BG 300

3 ! months BG 357, BG 358,BG 359, BG 360, LD 356,BW 363

4- 41/2 months BG 379/2,BG 450

5- 51/2 months BG 3-5, BG 38-8, BG 745

Types of Other Crops

•  Fruits - Pineapple , Rambutan ,Banana, Papaw, Duriyan, Mango, Guava

•  Pod Vegetables – Brinjal, Radish, Me-beans, Bitter gourd, Luffa, Snake gourd, Okra, Cucumber, Chilly, Tomato, Winged-beans

•  Leafy Vegetables – Gotukola, Kan-kun, Mugunuwenna

•  Tuber crops – Manioc, Coco-yam

•  Flowers – Cut flowers, Pot flowers & foliage plants

Seasonal Cropping Calendar

•  Paddy - Yala March – August - Maha September - February

•  Tuber crops February – May •  Vegetables Throughout the year •  Fruit crops Throughout the year

6. Situation Analysis (Special Training in Gampaha 20th – 24th August, 2007)

- Review of available literature and data - Inventory and analysis - Mapping agricultural land use and

open spaces - PRA

1. Medagama I 09-09-2007 2. Medagama II 22-09-2007 3. Medagama III 15-09-2007 4. Medagama IV 01-09-2007 5. Bendiyamulla North 29-09-2007 6. Bendiyamull East 08-09-2007

Learning & Working on PRA activities

Key Finding of PRA •  Lack of technical knowledge •  Lack of availability of seeds & planting materials •  Lack of drainage systems (Drains) •  Lack of capital to initiate actions •  Lack of input market at the city centre •  High rate or air pollution due to traffic congestions •  No subsidized services for machinery & equipments •  Lack of monitoring process in services & supplies •  No promotional programmes on UA •  Damages due to stray animals •  Lack of production/processing groups •  Need of compulsory programme on re-cultivation of

paddy (rice) lands

7. Policy Narrative (Training in Gampaha – 11th – 16th October, 2007) Analysis \ Integration of results of the situation analysis

9. Strengthening \ broadening commitment and participation

8. MPAP Training Blocks - Multi stakeholder forum

- What is policy, courses of action, Development of strategic city agenda on UA, pilot projects, Outcome mapping

10. Establishment of MSF and development city strategic agenda 11. MPAP Training block (1st, 2nd & 3rd MSF Meetings)

12. Operationalisation of the city strategic agenda

13. 4th MSF Meeting & following meetings

LET US CULTIVATE & UPLIFT THE NATION (Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu)

National Campaign to Motivate Domestic Food Production

(Deshiya Ahara Nishpadana Diri Gnvime Jathika Meheyuma)

CURRENT ATTEMPTS

Promotion of Home Gardening (Categorization)

•  1. Rural & urban home-gardens •  2. School gardens •  3. Home-gardens of school children •  4. Gardens & model farms in office premises •  5. Gardens in security forces camps •  6. Private home-gardens of state officials •  7. Gardens in office premises of the private- institutions •  8. Home-gardens of public representatives

Hoarding publicity in the city of Colombo

Further Training for Government Officials

Taking politicians to UPA working sites

Convincing the need of UPA to professional Bodies

Informing the Organization of Professional Association (OPA),

Sri Lanka

INNOVATIVE EDUCATION PROCESS

Creative Micro Agro-entrepreneurship: Advocacy, Training & Exhibition

15th - 17th November, 2007 - ISTI, Bombuwala

FUTURE PLANS Involvement with Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) at the grassroots through Community Development Societies (10 – 100 houses) + Children's Clubs in association with Health Instructors (HIs) Existing No. 700 Active No. 200 1) Borella 21 (17th November, 2007 at Cambal Park) 2) Colombo (North) 36 3) Colombo (Central –I ) 20 4) Colombo (Central -II) -- 5) Colombo (East) -- (Chithra Lane) 6) Wellawatta --

Integration with Graduate & Post graduate -level Education : University of Colombo Faculties of Arts & Science

More and more work with Private Sector Organizations - e.g., CIC