The concept of the Family Business Garden

(FBG)

Thilak T. RanasingheB.Sc. (Agric) Hon., M.Sc., Ph.D.

E-Mail :-thithura@sltnet.lk

An Urban–Rural Agricultural Continuum in Sri Lanka

was introduced on the World Environment Day - 5th June 2000

in Sri Lanka

The Concept of the Family Business Garden

(FBG)

In the field of Urban Agriculture (UA)

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

AimsAims of the Concept of the FBGof the Concept of the FBG

To address some poverty issues in generating additionalincome 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.

To visualize adoptable production systems to new generation of agricultural producers /entrepreneurs.

Expectations of the FBGExpectations of the FBG

Scope - not only family nutrition but also additional income source Approach - a process not content, there is no fixed model, it is flexible. System - technology development rather than technology transfer. Means - as commercial agriculture or environment agriculture or both End - physical as well as mental satisfaction in agro entrepreneurship.

Characters of the FBGCharacters of the FBGFlower (Brand) Flower (Brand)

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:

Family Business Garden [FBG]

Overall Strategy Overall Strategy of the Concept :-of the Concept :-

CONTINUUM

Reuse Contexts WISDOM

Store Principles KNOWLEDGE

Sort Patterns INFORMATION

Capture Relations DATA

Components / Strategies of the FBGComponents / Strategies of the FBG

i. Family Nutrition

ii. Technology Adoption

iii. Crop Management

iv. Post-Harvest Technology & Value Addition

v. Landscaping & Housekeeping

ENVIRONMENTAL / COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

i. i. FamilyFamily Nutrition Nutrition

Go for “ Vertical Cultivation Structures” in maximizing Low/No-Spaces of homesteads

Select Nutritional & Favorite Crops / Livestock (Vegetables,Fruits,Flowers,Yams,Spices,Herbs) (Chicken, Quails, Turkey, Rabbit, Fish)

Place priority for simplicity and creativity

Cultivation Arch

Cultivation Bags

(Hanging & Standing)

Cultivation TatCultivation Frame

Cultivation Pyramid

Cultivation Racks

Cultivation Fence

Cultivation Ladder Cultivation Net

Cultivation Towers

Cultivation Umbrella

Cultivation Antenna

Low/No Space Agricultural TechniquesCULTIVATION STRUCTURES

Cultivation Bottles

Cultivation Cage Cultivation Tripod Cultivation Bangle Cultivation Canoe

Cultivation Lantern

Cultivation Envelope

Cultivation Twigs

Cultivation Key

Cultivation Shellsl

Cultivation Holder

Portable Cultivation Tower

Edible Air-scape

This component helps to improve dietary habits

Cultivation Cradle

Cultivation Trolley

Consider available Members & Money

Select recommended / new crops / livestock / systems

Prepare for future market forces and get ready to work in groups/networks

ii .Technology Adoptionii .Technology Adoption

This component promotes diversity in creativity

Bottle Irrigation Simple Drips

Water-Wise Gardening

Rain Water Harvesting

iii . Crop Managementiii . Crop Management

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

Recycling of plant Nutrients

Integrated Pest Management / Integrated farming Practices

Application of different crop and livestock management

systems

This component helps to upkeep physical fitness

iv. Post-Harvest Technology iv. Post-Harvest Technology

& Value Addition& Value AdditionConcern of quality than quantity

Produce & product diversification to match consumer demands

Concentration of marketing standards / regulations / Laws /Acts

Micro-agro entrepreneurship development for additional income

This component injects diversity for sustainability

v. Landscaping v. Landscaping & House Keeping & House Keeping

Consider physical as well as mental health promotion along with edible Land / Air-scaping & home management principles

Application of gender equality / women issues into micro agro-entrepreneurship

Think of future : go for the development of “Business Plans” in FBG entrepreneurship

Edible gardening from front to back of the homestead in an organized manner

This component upkeeps the mental fitness

UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

Impact of the FBG

MIDLE-CLASSCOMMUNITIES

SCHOOLING & NON-SCHOOLING

YOUTH

National Goal contributions (i.e., Urban Green Chili production) & International participation

Concept applications by the Private Sector at National & International Contexts

• Statement -29 (2003)Implement a special urban agriculture promotion

program designed to ensure supply of homeconsumption needs and environmental protection.

*

The Sri Lankan National Policy for Urban Agriculture after FBG initiatives

• Statement -17 (2007)17.1 Promote home-gardening and urban agriculture

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

Government Programme for Promotion of Home Gardening - 2007(Let us Cultivate to Uplift the Nation)

• 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

Urban – Rural Continuum

How FBG is friendly with Rural Folks1. To enjoy on water conservation adaptations so as to cultivate with

intensive management under resource poor conditions

2. To cultivate in the dry season (i.e., Yala) in order to continue income generation & food security for better livelihoods

3. To escape from stray and/or wild animal damages with minimal protection measures

4. To raise the levels of fruit and vegetable cultivations among the rural populations in minimizing nutritional drawbacks

5. To reduce rural-urban migration of youth while practicing low labour agricultural production systems.

Sub-urban situations close to Municipalities

Sub-urban situations away from Municipalities

Cultivation structures mainly developed for land-space utilization 1) Cultivation Tower 2) Cultivation Pyramid 3) Cultivation Frame 4) Cultivation Wall 5) Cultivation Arch 6) Cultivation Bangle 7) Cultivation Mat 8) Cultivation Umbrella 9) Cultivation Cage 10) Cultivation Consortium 11) Cultivation Envelope 12) Cultivation Spool

Cultivation structures mainly developed for building-space utilization 1) Cultivation Tat 2) Cultivation Ladder 3) Cultivation Rack 4) Cultivation Tripod 5) Cultivation Net 6) Cultivation Trolley 7) Cultivation Cradle 8) Cultivation Holder 9) Cultivation Bag (Standing) 10) Cultivation Shell 11) Cultivation Twig 12) Portable Cultivation Tower

Cultivation structures mainly developed for air-space utilization 1) Cultivation Bottle 2) Cultivation Lantern 3) Cultivation Antenna 4) Cultivation Bag (Hanging) 5) Cultivation Key 6) Cultivation String 7) Cultivation Tube 8) Cultivation Plaster 9) Edible Air-scape

CULTIVATION STRUCTURES DEVELOPED TODATE under Low/No Space Agricultural Techniques through the

Knowledge Management process of the Concept of the FBG

Inventor & Facilitator of the Concept of the FBG

Dr. Thilak T. RanasingheConsultant / Advisor

Urban Agriculture / Rural Livelihoods[Former Director of Agriculture (Western Province, Sri Lanka) :1991-2007]

(Retired Class I Officer of the Sri Lanka Agriculture Service)18, Senanayake Road, Issadeen Town, Matara,

SRI LANKA

Tel:- +94 774 907 047, +94 412 222 462 E-Mail:- thithura@sltnet.lk 15th November, 2008