FAO UPDATE Sri Lanka & The Maldives

Transcription

1 FAO UPDATE Sri Lanka & The Maldives ISSUE 12,ISSN NO: May 2012 FAO visits Hon. Minister of Agriculture Inside this issue: FAO visits Hon. Minister of Agriculture 1 Regional programme for participatory and integrated agriculture, forestry and fisheries development for long-term rehabilitation and development in tsunamiaffected areas 2 Fisheries Atlas for Sri Lanka assisted by FAO BOBLME project to assist the coastal community Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Agriculture The FAO communications team had the opportunity to meet with Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Agriculture recently. A brief summary of this interview is published as a special feature in this 2 issue. Q1 - We are aware Hon. Minister that when you took over this ministry, you had a vision of 3 ensuring a rapid development of the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. What were your major targets? Supporting fisher 3 Right from the beginning, our target was to be self-sufficient on women in Trincomalee our staple food -rice. Hence, all through FAO's efforts have been focused on rice Telefood programme production. In earlier times, producers were not concerned FAO staff attend 3 about the quality or the variety training on Letters of etc, but were mainly production Agreement oriented. Since I assumed my duties, the government's approach Staff spotlight 4 has changed. We achieved 'selfsufficiency' in rice in We have not imported a single grain of rice Welcome onboard 5 into the country yet except for special purposes like tourism. Having achieved that target, we JPA 2012 for 5 need to explore the possibilities of Northern Province entering in to the rice export which launched is our next goal. At the same time, Sri Lanka has ventured into new varieties of rice, thanks to our research experts. sufficient. Now we need to achieve the target of exporting 200,000 Mt of rice by Cultivating all available land is also another target. Promoting IDPs to cultivate in their new settlements is 95% achieved already. We are aiming for self sufficiency in other field crops like green gram, black gram and maize. In 2005, when the present government came into power, only 25% of the total requirement of paddy seeds were produced in the country. Within the last 7 years it has gone up to 125%. This season we had a surplus of about 25,000 Mt. We have encouraged the private sector to export about 10,000 metric tons of grain. Under the auspices of His Excellency the president, we have entrusted the export of surplus to the private exporters to encourage the private sector. Q3 - We, FAO have been supportive throughout and will continue our efforts in developing agriculture in the country. Do you think FAO has sufficiently fulfilled its role in line with your targets during the recent past? FAO has been very obliging, whenever we needed assistance; FAO had always lent a helping hand. Last year when we faced the floods, we sought FAO's assistance. During the exigency we did not have sufficient machinery to deploy to reinstate agriculture after the floods. The resources available were limited. Hence, we had to seek assistance from various sources. We sought assistance from several embassies as well as from FAO. I am indeed happy with the assistance extended to us by FAO. Presently, we have a shortage in quality seeds and planting materials in the country. Storage facilities are also not sufficient to tackle excess production of vegetables and rice in the country. Processing facilities for vegetables are needed. Colombo and Dambulla are the main markets. The main production areas are Nuwara-eliya and Badulla. These markets and the production areas need to be linked to ensure supply for the demand. FAO could assist in t h e d e ve l o p m e n t o f f r u i t cultivation. People need to be educated on the importance of eating fruits we need to pay attention to WHO's recommendation of 450g of fruits per day per person. We need assistance from FAO to pursue this task. FAO's expertise is also r e q u i r e d o n p o s t h a r ve s t management, particularly on storing of vegetables for at least for 7 days. Storing seed material, particularly paddy, needs to be addressed. The cold chain system can preserve seed paddy up to 2 years. To prepare for a disaster, we need a trusted system in place to ensure continuity of seed paddy supplies. FAO's international exposure is needed for Sri Lanka to enter into Intergovernmental agreements to liaise with other countries for exports/imports. Last but not least, FAO can use its expertise to educate citizens of Sri Lanka on food/nutritional values in schools and by conducting public awareness campaigns. Q2 - Where are we now with these Q4 - What more should FAO do to targets? What do you think about reach these targets and do you have any other suggestions for FAO to the progress? FAO communications team with the take forward in addressing national Hon. Minister The priority earlier was to be self- food security?

2 Page 2 Regional programme for participatory and integrated agriculture, forestry and fisheries development for long-term rehabilitation and development in tsunami-affected areas economic downtur ns. The project supported rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts aimed at not only repairing tsunami damage, but also to build back better, and put in place improved land and resource management systems, with the active participation of local communities. The project achieved the following outputs: Training a youth group on food production The main objective of this five year, US$666,660 regional project simultaneously implemented in Indonesia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand and funded by Japan was to strengthen national capacity and participatory processes in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors for the integrated and sustainable management and use of land and other natural resources in the tsunamiaffected areas of Sri Lanka, in order to enhance the livelihoods of the affected communities, and reduce their vulnerability to coastal storms and sectors was improved and policies and plans for participatory and integrated coastal resource use and management was strengthened. The project was implemented in four villages (Vinayagapuram 1, 2, 3 and 4) in Thirukkovil Divisional Secretary (DS) division, Ampara District from September 2006 to March Ÿ Par ticipator y and inte g rated development of agriculture, forestry and fisheries activities at selected target sites was established. Sri Lanka was rated the best in implementation from among the four participating countries. Ÿ National capacities and institutional frameworks for participatory and integrated agriculture, forestry and fisheries development for posttsunami rehabilitation to improve livelihoods, nutrition and health was strengthened. Ÿ Information flow, linkages, feedback and collaboration among stakeholders at all levels and in all Sales outlet for food items Fisheries Atlas for Sri Lanka assisted by FAO designed on the lines of the National Atlas of Sri Lanka, incorporates the results of surveys and management plans developed for commercially important and exportoriented coastal resources such as sea cucumber, chank, shrimp, lobster and marine aquarium fish in the northwest, south and east coasts of Sri Lanka Mr. Patrick T. Evans, FAO Representative, handing over the first copy of the atlas to Dr. (Mrs.) Damitha de Soyza, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Funds provided under projects supported by the Canadian Inter national Development Agency (CIDA) and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the technical support provided by FAO has enabled NARA to conduct exhaustive surveys to determine the distribution and abundance of these resources. In addition, NARA and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have successfully mobilized the fishing communities, traders and other stakeholders involved in these fisheries to develop management plans for sustainable utilization of these valuable resources. Assisted by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) have produced the first volume of Sri Lanka The Fisheries Atlas, replete with a host of Fisheries Atlas. This colourful Atlas, colourful photographs and maps, provides a wealth of data and information on the sea cucumber, chank, shrimp, lobster and marine ornamental fish on the northwest, south and east coast of Sri Lank. Funds for printing have come from another FAO executed regional programme, the Re g i o n a l F i s h e r i e s L ive l i h o o d s Programme (RFLP). It is targeted to fisheries managers, researchers, university academics; fish traders, exporters as well as the general public interested in fisheries matters. The production of this Atlas is the culmination of a land mark event of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development in its endeavor to p r o m o t e c o l l a b o r a t i ve f i s h e r i e s management of valuable coastal fish resources of Sri Lanka. On the 30 January 2012, the first fisheries atlas was officially handed over to Dr. (Mrs.) Damitha de Soyza, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development by Mr. Patrick T. Evans, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

3 Page 3 BOBLME project to assist the coastal community The Project Steering Committee (PSC) of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project met at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, on March. The meeting was attended by participants from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand, representing the lead government agencies in the environment and fisheries sectors. Other participants included representatives from the donor and implementing partner agencies SIDA, FAO and World Bank. Mr Ajith Silva, Director (Policy and Planning) Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka was elected the Chair of the PSC for This was an important meeting for BOBLME as the PSC adopted the findings of a major study that identified the major The Sri Lanka counterparts for BOBLME are Mr Indra Ranasinghe, DirectorGeneral of the Department of Fisheries (PSC), Mr Ajith Silva (PSC), and Dr S S K Haputhantri (National Coordinator) from the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency. Steering Committee of BOBLME project issues affecting the health of the Bay of Bengal ecosystem, and accepted the findings of the Project's midterm evaluation - which concluded that the Project is well on track. Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand are working together through the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) Project and are laying the foundation for a coordinated programme of action designed to improve the lives of the coastal populations through improved regional management of the Bay of Bengal environment and its fisheries. More information can be found at Supporting fisher women in Trincomalee through FAO's Telefood programme The fishing communities of Trincomalee had suffered multiple displacement as a result of the previous conflict, which left many of their homes and property destroyed. The fisher women in the villages of Uppawely and Trikkadalur Nagara in Trincomalee traditionally earned an income through the Maldive fish industry. However, this traditional practice generated little income, and was becoming less popular since a significant amount of the fish was lost to animals, birds and high rainfall. of Uppaveily, Trincomalee with the FAO donated dry fish oven Through its Telefood Programme, FAO has partnered with the local NGO Environmental Protection Foundation to select 50 fisher women in these villages, mobilize these women into groups of 5 and provide each group with an oven, to dry Maldives fish. Up to 150 kilograms of fish can be used in the oven at a time and within three days, 50 kg of Maldives dried fish can be produced. The ovens are simple to use and easily available material such as dried leaves, sticks and coconut shells are used as fuel. Tools and other equipment such as pots, knives, scales, steamers, polythene sealers each were provided with the ovens, and fish was also provided in the beginning to start up and boost these livelihoods. The groups were provided with training in accounting methods and manufacturing Maldive fish, and they have now begun to earn a sustainable monthly income of Rs.20,000. FAO staff attend training on Letters of Agreement in New Delhi, India The training was organized by the FAO regional office for Asia and the Pacific for the officers who are directly involved in the LoA management at country level. A total of 20 participants from FAO offices in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan attended the 2 day training on preparation, quality assurance, approval and the management of LoAs entered into by the organization with numerous stake holders under the revised manual section 507 of the organization. The revised guidelines under which the delegated authority to country level is significantly increased, empowers the country offices to assume their new role as the owner of their business process of LoAs confidently. Participants at the LOA training The training came in as the 2nd phase of the knowledge transfer process, after being piloted at head quarters in Rome late 2011

4 Page 4 Staff spotlight again from April 2010 to August I became the District Coordinator for Kilinochchi in September 2011 until now. 3) Tell us a bit about what you do? In this issue's staff spotlight, we interview Thayananthan, Kanagaratnam, District Coordinator for the FAO Field Office in Killinochchi. 1) Tell us a bit about your background? I did my undergraduate studies in Jaffna University. I received a BSc. (Hon) in Agriculture, specializing in Agricultural Engineering and also received a second class in English medium. I completed a MSc. in Integrated Water Resource Management in the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA) of the University of Peradeniya and am presently reading my PhD in PGIA. I worked with World Vision as an Agricultural Assistant for six months. I later worked in Care International as a Project Officer for six months and then joined FAO as District Coordinator in the Mannar Office. When the Mannar office closed down, I joined NEHRP as a Junior Environmental Consultant and was later p r o m o t e d t o a n E nv i r o n m e n t a l Consultant. I then joined FAO again in I have been involved in the following tasks: identification of suitable beneficiaries of all FAO's assistance, finding needs of various target groups, arranging the inputs assistance to the beneficiaries site, organizing the distribution, distribution of the inputs, post distribution monitoring, evaluation and reporting 4) You were previously the District Coordinator for Mannar and you are now the District Coordinator for Kilinochchi. What has it been like to work in these two districts? There are key similarities and differences in these two districts. Both districts are dry zone districts. Their climate, agro-ecology, geology, topography and demographical variations are almost similar. Both districts have coastal belt. Mannar has a bigger coastal area than Kilinochchi therefore the livelihoods of the population in Mannar are mainly agriculture and fisheries. Both occupations are seasonal but compared to agriculture, fisheries provide higher incomes. However, the saving habits of the fisheries population is lower than the farming population. I was the District Coordinator for Mannar from January December 2007, and then Paddy is the main crop in Mannar, and cultivation of other field crops (OFC) and vegetables are mainly for consumption, not as commercial venture. In Kilinochchi too, paddy is the main crop, but OFC, vegetables and fruits are equally cultivated on a commercial scale. At a distribution ceremony On a field mission 2) How long have you worked at FAO? Both districts were affected by the war. There were various restriction movements from uncleared to cleared areas, restrictions on the transpor t of commodities, ban of types of medical drugs, etc. The needs of beneficiaries in the cleared areas were different from the needs of beneficiaries in uncleared areas. People in cleared areas needed roads and tanks rehabilitated, electricity and communication facilitated. People in uncleared areas required more urgent humanitarian assistance in the food, livelihoods, water and sanitation sectors. Marketing of agricultural produce in both districts was a problem. This was due to bad internal road networks, disruption of local markets and marketing systems. Following the end of the war in 2009, work is now underway to restore infrastructure facilities in both districts. The working environment in both districts has improved significantly. 5) Who has been a role model and a source of inspiration to you in your life? Dr. Pathmarajah, who was the Acting Prog ramme Director for Care International, is my role model for project planning and management. He was my supervisor for my MSc. and is now my supervisor for my PhD. He inspired me and encouraged me to follow a career in project management. 6) What do you like to do in your free time, when you're not working? I like to spend time with my family and friends. I also do interior decoration and home gardening. Attending a training on project management

5 Page 5 Joining FAO - Welcome! Kanapathipillai Sooriyakumaran, Field Assistant Monitoring Wishwa Idamgoda, Consultant Dr. Mahalingam Muralithas, Veterinary Surgeon Senaka Wasala, Finance and Administration Assistant Sara Raffa Jalaldeen, Volunteer Dr. Ramaiah Nalendran, Field Assistant-Monitoring Hasantha Amarasekera, Field Mobilizer JPA 2012 for Northern Province launched The Joint Plan for Assistance (JPA) for the Northern Province 2012 was launched on 21 February at the Ministry of Economic Development, by the Government, UN and the broader humanitarian community in the presence of Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development. The JPA identifies priority activities to be undertaken during 2012 and strategies which have been developed in support of the overall national programme to support the recovery and development of the Northern Province. The JPA provides a framework for meeting immediate needs of the resettled communities in the Northern Province while linking humanitarian interventions to longer-term development efforts. Housing and Shelter, Water and Sanitation, Food Security, Agriculture and Livelihoods, Health and Nutrition, Education Sports and Recreation, Mine Action, Civil Administration and National Protection Mechanisms are the key areas of focus in the JPA. FAO Profiles under the JPA 2012 AGRICULTURE (USD 2.5million) Immediate agriculture support to recent returnees and other vulnerable farming families in the Northern Province To re-establish and strengthen farm based livelihoods and improve the household food security of recent returnees and vulnerable farmers in the North 15,000 households Implementing Partners Ministry of Agriculture (Northern Province), Department of Agriculture (Northern Province) Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu FISHERIES (USD 2million) Urgent Livelihood Support for Recently-Resettled Fishers in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi Districts The overall objective is to rebuild fisher livelihoods by supporting vulnerable fisher families with small crafts, gear, know-how on fish handling, marketing and to establish fish processing enterprises 4,600 households Implementing Partners Department of Fisheries, Fishermen's Co-operatives in Mullaitivu and Killinochchi districts Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi LIVESTOCK (USD 2million) Immediate Support to Livelihoods Recovery of Vulnerable Conflict-Affected Livestock Farmers in the Northern Province To improve the food and nutrition security of vulnerable livestock farmers by replacing lost livestock assets and strengthening livestock production capacity in the Northern Province 15,000 households Implementing Partners Ministry of Livestock Development, and Department of Animal Production and Health (NP) Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu FAO Representation : Tel: / / Fax: / FAO-LK@fao.org For a world without hunger