Promoting Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture as part of a Provincial Action Plan on Climate Change

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1 S.T.Kodikara Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Western Province (WP) Colombo Sri Lanka Promoting Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture as part of a Provincial Action Plan on Climate Change

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3 Western Province (WP) Description Sri Lanka WP % Population (2012) 20,263,723 5,821, Extent (km 2 ) 65,610 3,684 6 Population density (2012) 323 5,923 Arable Land, % of Total Land Area (2009) 17.9% Rice Production (mt) ,370, , % Rice Requirement (mt) ,443, ,975 28% Most urbanized province in Sri Lanka Source: Dept of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka,

4 Sri Lanka as a country; Negligible contributor to global warming, But highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change Because; Increase temperature Variability and unpredictability of rainfall patterns Increase in the frequency and intensity of disasters such as droughts, floods and landslides Sea Level rise

5 Impacts of Climate Change in Sri Lanka Air temperature in Sri Lanka reveals a trend of 0.14C increase per decade. Ambient temperature (both minimum and maximum) has increased. The rainfall patterns have changed. There is a trend for the increase of one day heavy rainfall events (resulting in increased flooding events) The increased frequency of dry periods and droughts are expected. The general warming trend is expected to increase the frequency of extreme hot days. Source: Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka, 2010 cited in Sector Vulnerability profile Agriculture & Fisheries, Sri Lanka.

6 Variation in Temperature Figure 01: Moving average for 5 and 10 years for daily average temperature values

7 Variation in Rainfall Figure 02: Moving average for 5 and 10 years for yearly rainfall plotted against the average yearly rainfall from

8 Two pilot projects in Kesbewa 1. Promotion of Home Gardening (Space intensive gardening) 2. Sustainable Rehabilitation of Paddy Lands

9 Collaboration of Multi stakeholders 1. Ministry of Agriculture, Western Province 2. Department of Agriculture, Western Province 3. Kesbewa Urban Council 7. Agro Service Authority (WP) 8. Kesbewa Divisional Secretariat 9. Agrarian Services Department 10. Urban Development Authority 4. Janathakshan Guarantee Ltd 5. University of Colombo, Sri Lanka 6. University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka 11. Climate Change Secretariat 12. RUAF Foundation 13. UN-Habitat International Water Management Institute

10 1. Promote Home Gardening (Space 150 home gardens intensive gardening) 5 crops are selected on the basis of the food flow analysis/food preferences and market demand. Composting of households wastes and rainwater harvesting will be promoted Water-saving technologies (drip irrigation) Minimize food miles - the gardeners will be linked to small scale entrepreneurs willing to provide inputs (seeds, compost) and buy/market the produce. The producers and service providing entrepreneurs will be assisted in making simple production plan and business plans.

11 Steps followed.. 1. Identified daily food basket 2. Prioritized crops can be grown in Kesbewa with the highest potential to reduce GHG emissions 3. Mapped the food flow (above selected crops) 4. Understood the food distribution 5. Identified available land for cultivation 6. Identified vulnerable areas 7. Identified strategies to improve local production, and distribution

12 2. Sustainable Rehabilitation Paddy Lands Two flood plains were selected: Traditional rice varieties (salt and flood resistant)will be organically grown Raised bunds in which vegetables will be grown (selected on the basis of the food flow analysis and local food preferences/market potential) Irrigation department involves in rehabilitating the irrigation canals.

13 Morenda and Kahapola paddy fields

14 Formulation of Provincial Climate Change Action Plan A national climate change policy exists. Decided to formulate Provincial CC Action Plan instead of a Policy Aim The effective implementation of the prioritized climate change adaptation measures identified by the Policy

15 Expected Mechanism Identified key sectors under the 1 st phase 1. Food Security 2. Biodiversity 3. Health 4. Water 5. Human Settlement Suppose to explore linkages in UPAF Participatory approach and Multi stakeholder forum will be used.

16 Thank You