Pilot City - Gampaha (Sri Lanka)

Gampaha is an urban city in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Gampaha District in Western Province, North of Colombo. Gampaha District is separated from Colombo mainly by the Kelani River.

The word "Gampaha" in Sinhala (Local Language) is composed from 2 words – "Gam", which means village and - "paha", which means five - literally meaning "Five Villages". The five villages in the Gampaha city is Ihalagama, Pahalagama, Medagama, Aluthgama and Yagoda. Gampaha is about 4km from Miriswatta on Colombo-Kandy road. Gampaha is surrounded by Yakkala, Miriswatta, Minuwangoda and Ja-ela towns. Henarthgoda Botanical Gardens  now the Gampaha Botanical Gardens where the first rubber tree planted in Sri Lanka is still present  is located close near Gampaha Town.

Gampaha is also the home town of the famous Ayurveda Physician Wickremarachchi who produced hundreds of Ayurveda Physicians who came to be known as Ayurveda Physicians of Gampaha. They are still found all over Sri Lanka

Gampaha District consist of 13 Divisional Secretariat or Electoral Division. Gampaha MC is one of the 13 DS included under Gampaha District.  Gampaha Municipal Council area covers 33 Grama Niladhari (GN) or Gram Sevikas divisions with the land area of 27.5 km2.  Gampaha District comes under the administrative boundaries of Western province. Gampaha Municipal Council area  has a resident population of 57429 of which 28286 are males and 29143 are females. There has been an increase of about 54.6 percent when compared to the population census of 1981 which was 37158.

The climate is tropical and humid most of the year with average humidity in day being 76 mm and 88 mm during nights and an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius prevails most part of the year.  The average precipitation is 1700 mm annually. Gampaha forms the low country wet zone. Te common type of soil include Red,  yellow podzolic soil with soft and hard laterite ,Low humic clay, Regosol soil. The terrain  is rolling and undulating. There are no forest or conservative lands in Gampaha MC.

The focus of the pilot study in the Gampaha Municipal council is concentrated on 6 GS division out of the total 33 in the MPAP process

They are Medagama I, Medagama II, Medagama III, Medagama IV, Bendiyamulla North and Bendiyamulla East. The total population is 9393 in the 6 GS division. Medagama I,  has population of 569, with  53.77 Ha of land,  and 10.58 per Ha of population density, Medagama II,  has population of 1961,  with 166.19 Ha of Land and 11.81 ha of Population density. Medagama III, has population of 1305,  with 13.62 Ha of land and  95.81 Ha of population density. Medagama IV, has population of 2481, with 21.65 Ha of land and, 114.60 Ha of population density.  Bendiyamulla North,  has a population of 1450, with 37.71 Ha,  with 38.4, Ha of population density , Bendiyamulla East, 1672,  has a population of 69.83, with 296.97 Ha of population density.

The ethnic composition of the population includes around 56532 belonging to Sinhalese. Majority of the population is follower of Buddhism i.e 50648 people of the total population. Literacy rate with 92.1 %  male population and 91.3 % percent of females is able to read and write Sinhalese.

Gampaha is having very high rate of daily migrants. Gampaha town which is part of Gampaha MC is considered as a transit point because hundred thousands of migrants visit daily for their day to day activities from both north and south corner. Mobile population in the city is about 0.2 million /day. The Town also is host to a District  General hospital , MOH office and other three private hospitals. Main Administrative setup is located in the Town along with District offices of the Government Departments.

Daily migration of people from various parts of the country as well the people from suburbs from Gampaha MC itself. The town is also commercialized area with location of malls, business Centres, private banks and shopping complexes. Most of the popular schools and private tuitions classes are located in the town. The MC also included the Main bus stand and railway station which makes it a busy location.

Urban Poverty

There is high rate of employment with 92.4 percent of population finding employment through out the year. The labour participation rate is 42.7 % in the MC area, with only 7.6 percent of population unemployed.

Around 30408 persons are employed in private sector with 11392 of workforce is being self
Employed and nearly 1441 of population does not have any source of income.

Income level is low to middle with only a small percentage being unemployed mostly women and children  and old age group falling under this category.

Urban Agriculture

Nearly 1180.94 hectares of land is under paddy of which 752.84 hectares of land is Rain fed while 477.11 is left uncultivated in one or both the paddy season in the year. Total coconut plantation is around 2379.56 hectares.  Coconut plantation as a single crop occupies around 1101.47 hectares.  While coconut along with other crops and animal husbandry occupies 1277.05 hectares and 1.04 hectares of cultivated land respectively.  Rubber plantation occupies  189.98. Fruits and pineapple plantation occupies 32.88 hectares.  Pepper and other plantation occupy 25.84. Residential and homesteads occupy 3643.19 hectares of land.  Marshy lands occupy 9.16 hectares and water body occupies 9.28 hectares of the total land of 8724.32 hectares in Gampaha DS division. 

The Western Province Department of Agriculture promotes home-gardens and Family Business Gardens in Gampaha for reasons of a nutritionally healthy diet. Abandoned paddy lands are also being converted to agricultural production (vegetables, fruits and commercial crops like manioc). As, approximately 50 tons of municipal solid waste are generated each day, and of which only 15 tons is collected  due to lack of financial support, infrastructure  and manpower. urban and peri-urban agriculture can play an important role in recycling of biodegradable waste, to be used in floriculture or organic home gardens.  Finally, agriculture is being promoted in domestic levels with a national policy of domestic cultivation.

Abandoned paddy filed is another aspect which has been highlighted time and again due to lack of infrastructural support, inputs and heavy cost on cultivation and labour.

Training and extension support is given to farmers through training centers in the following by the western province department of agriculture.
            a) Training on home garden, FBG
            b) Budding and grafting
            c) Training for machinery
            d) Integrated pest management
            e) Mushrooms
            f) Food technology
            g) Floriculture training
            h) Coordinate with farmers problems

Minutes of meetings

25th July' 2007

4-5th April' 2007

23rd March' 2007

MPAP capacity building workshop: 25th to 28th July

National program to motivate domestic food production – 2007-2010

Home Garden Steering Committee

National Agricultureal Policy (200kb PDF)

National Campaign to Motivate Domestic Food Production 2007-2010 (438kb PDF)

Nagarika Haritha Balakaya

The enabling team has been formed and is called Nagarika Haritha Balakaya

Gampaha consisting of Dept. of Agriculture, Agrarian services, dept. of health, dept of education, animal husbandry, botanical gardens, an Cooperative NGO Sanasa for the third pilot city under RUAF-CFF,

The vision and TOR for the team has been agreed by all members at 5 days workshop organised from 25th to 29th July 2007.

The situation analysis has been clearly divided among the members

3 working groups for Primary survey through PRA has been formed from the team. Each dept. has clearly chosen the secondary information they would collect and the situation analysis has been given date line of Aug 1st Aug to 30th Oct.

The enabling team will organize a meeting on every third week on Friday every month.

The work plan for the year 2007 apart from situation analysis has been clearly defined. Till MSF (Nov-16) and action plan workshop (3 days) in Dec - residential.

Four MPAP training needs expressed for which the topic and proposed dates are as follows-

1. PRA workshop -Three days - 20, 21, 22nd Aug.
2. Critical policy review workshop- 24th Aug
3. Policy narrative writing workshop- 11-12th Oct.
4. Action plan workshop- 5th, 6th and 7th  days in Dec.

Outcome journals for the team has been prepared by each department separately.

During the one week the team had session on MPAP steps, outcome mapping, PRA problem prioritization and situation analysis - Land use mapping will be done by IWMI.

Colombo/Gampaha Meetings 4-5th of April 2007

Main Objectives of the Trip:

• Meet with Minister of Agriculture WP to obtain continuing support [Obtained]
• Clarify Role of WPDOA as lead partner defined and agreed upon [to be formalized]
• RUAF-CFF Project, Activities, Objectives, Outputs and MPAP Process shared and understood with key stakeholders [Achieved]
• Provisional strategic and boundary partners identified [Identified and meetings held]
• Verbal approval/support of the Municipality of Gampaha [Obtained]

4th April 2007: 9.00 to 13.00

Location: WP DOA Office

Members Present:

• Dr. Rob Simmons (IWMI)
• Ms. Saba Ishaq (IWMI)
• Dr. Thilak Ranasinghe (Director of Agriculture (Western Province))
• Mr. Mendis (Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture (Colombo District))
• Mr. Peries (Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture (Gampaha District))

Provisional contract for WPDOA as lead partner shared (previously sent via e-mail) and discussed. WPDOA is keen (as well as capable) to be lead partner. Concerns were expressed however at potential problems with the Treasury with regards receipt of funds. This was discussed with the Secretary and Minister at subsequent meetings.

Note: Currently, funds for the UASSC Project (Pliot Project in Partner Cities) have not yet been transferred due to problems associated with the receipt of funds by WPDOA. Consequently, the project has not yet been initiated and is 4-months behind schedule.

With regards the UASCC Project, it was proposed that the WPDOA provide all invoices for the materials (630,000 Rs approx. 4772.7 Euros) required to initiate the FBGs in the selected areas. Rob Simmons agreed to follow up with IWMI-HQ Finance to see if IWMI can purchase the materials and then provide them to WPDOA. The balance (4772.7 Euros) is to be deducted from the contract payment for 2007. Rob Simmons also agreed to send a follow up letter to the Secretary and Minister of Agriculture WP to request the assistance to resolve this issue.

Concerns were also expressed by Mr. Peries with regards to his role (as WPDOA representative for Gampaha District) in calling non-WPDOA stakeholders/organizations to meetings and potential problems associated with transfer of funds to stakeholders and also to due to his initial doubts as to whether or not the other partners like education department, health and the mayor would accept to participate until and unless they see some gain and benefits out of the process. This was related to the possibility that the Municipality and/or the Mayor of Gampaha would request funds to initiate projects that were outside the scope of the RUAF-CFF project activities. With regards to the transfer of funds it was made clear by Rob Simmons that this would not be required. With the exception of funds transferred to WPDOA to act as lead partner (Ref. Draft Contract) IWMI would be responsible for making payments for all other RUAF-CFF Project related activities in Gampaha District.

Further, it was proposed to arrange a meeting with senior representatives of key organizations (Fig. 1) namely, Government Agent (District Secretary, Mayor of Gampaha, Provincial Director of Education, Provincial Director of Health and Director of Botanical Gardens. By clearly outlining the scope of the project and obtaining their support this would significantly simplify the role of WPDOA and also give an initial idea of the stakeholders existing programmes and their initial level of interest in participation by seeing clear linkages to the ongoing programme beforehand so that work of convincing the partners and ensuring involvement post inception meet will be less.

Key stakeholders namely members of the UPA Enabling Team, Boundary and policy Level Partners (strategy partners) were discussed (Fig 1).

Figure 1. Provisional UPA Enabling Team, Boundary Partners and Policy Level Partners for Gampaha, Sri Lanka

Note: Figure 1 was revised during the 4th and 5th of April based on inputs from the  Secretary to Minister of Agric. WP, Minister of Agric. WP, Mayor of Gampahaas well as the WPDOA team.

4th April 2007: 14.30 to 16.30

Location: WP Ministry of Agriculture

Members Present:

• Honourable Minister, Mr. Hector Bethmage, Ministry of Agriculture, Land Animal Production, Irrigation and Tourism (Western Province)
• Mr. Eliyadura Gunasena Chandrarathna (Secretary to Minister & Chief Secretary WP)
• Dr. Rob Simmons (IWMI)
• Ms. Saba Ishaq (IWMI)
• Dr. Thilak Ranasinghe (Director of Agriculture (Western Province)
• Mr. Mendis (Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture (Colombo District),
• Mr. Peries (Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture (Gampaha District)

Initial discussions were held with Mr. Eliyadura Gunasena Chandrarathna to update him on the morning discussions and to seek his advice on organizations that should be invited to attend the Inception Meeting and be members of the UPA Enabling Team, Boundary Partners and Policy Level Partners. Additional, organizations were added. Mr. Eliyadura Gunasena Chandrarathna expressed his continued support for the project and stressed the need for an ‘Awareness Program’ that would be initiated during the Inception Meeting. Mr. Eliyadura Gunasena Chandrarathna also agreed to contact the Provincial Secretaries of Education and Health to arrange meetings for WP Team and ensure their support as being in strength of the current Acting Secretary to the Education Department.

RUAF-CFF Project support to the WP ‘Agriculture Promotion Week’ 23-29th of April particularly the promotion of the FBG and RUAF-CFF project was also discussed and gratefully accepted. The WPOA team will provide an invoice for associated costs for development of the information and knowledge materials such as Banners, RUAF-CFF fliers and information material on FBG as concept of UPA.

Post the discussions with Mr. Eliyadura Gunasena Chandrarathna a 1 hour meeting was held with the Minister of Agriculture the Honourable Mr. Hector Bethmage.

The Minister re-affirmed his direct support for the project and demonstrated this by phoning the Government Agent for Gampaha Divisional Secretary Mr. V. K. Ruparatne and the Mayor of Gampaha Mr. Ajith Mannapperuma to request meetings on the 5th of April.

The Minister also gave some additional suggestions of organizations that should be invited to the Inception Meeting.

5th April 2007: 8.30 to 9.00

Location: Gampaha, Municipality, office of the Government Agent for Gampaha District, Divisional Secretary Mr. V. K. Ruparatne.

Members Present:

• GA: Mr. V. K. Ruparatne
• Dr. Rob Simmons (IWMI)
• Ms. Saba Ishaq (IWMI)
• Dr. Thilak Ranasinghe (Director of Agriculture (Western Province)
• Mr. Peries (Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture (Gampaha District)

Rob Simmons and Dr. Tilak Ranasinghe summarized the objectives, activities and expected outcomes of the RUAF-CFF Project. Mr  V. K. Ruparatne outlined the key statistics of Gampaha Municipality namely that the population of Gampaha Town = 60,000 Adults (>18 yrs and registered to vote) and that the Municipality covers and area of 37.5 km2 comprising 33 GS Divisions. Gampaha District is made up of 13 Divisional Secretaries. In addition, on a daily basis, there is an influx of 25,000 school children to Gampaha municipality. Further, 15,000 adults are involved in adult education classes.

Note: Build on the existing links between the WPDOA and Department of Education.

Mr.  V. K. Ruparatne indicated that one of the key issues facing the Municipality of Gampaha is solid waste management namely segregation, collection and disposal. Dr. Tilak Ranasinghe and Dr. Rob Simmons reiterated that one of the objectives of the RUAF-CFF project was urban environmental management through participatory city governance.  Links between MSW management – composting and urban and peri-urban agriculture were also discussed. Mr.  V. K. Ruparatne expressed his support for the project and provisionally agreed to attend the Inception Meeting on 15th of May.

5th April 2007: 9.15 to 10.15

Location: Gampaha, Mayors residence

Members Present:

• Mayor of Gampaha Mr. Ajith Mannapperuma
• Dr. Rob Simmons (IWMI)
• Ms. Saba Ishaq (IWMI)
• Dr. Thilak Ranasinghe (Director of Agriculture (Western Province)
• Mr. Peries (Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture (Gampaha District)

After initial greetings Rob Simmons  gave a short presentation on the RUAF-CFF Project. During this presentation Mr Ajith Mannapperuma indicated that his key concern is MSW Management. Approximately 55 tonnes of MSW are generated per day. Mr Ajith Mannapperuma wants to reduce this to 15-20 tonnes per day. He proposed that composting of bio-degradable waste at a household level for home gardens or at a divisional level on Municipal Land and re-use in urban and peri-urban agriculture is a feasible option. Mr Ajith Mannapperuma has initiated a project to segregate, collect and compost household waste from 6 divisions in Gampaha Municipality. He is also willing to provide copies of reports from a JICA funded study (now completed) on MSW Management for Gampaha District.

Rob Simmons and Dr. Thilak Ranasinghe provided Mr.  Ajith Mannapperuma with further details of the re-use options with a particular focus on the FBG concept. There are two main vegetable markets in the municipality each of which generate approximately 1 metric tonne of biodegradable waste each day. Mr Ajith Mannapperuma also suggested that this could be effectively composted and linked to micro-enterprises such as floriculture or used in organic agriculture. He Proposed that in case farmers intiate the production of organic food crops then he would provide space for setting up weekly bazaar  in Gampaha and this will promote organic production of vegetables.

Mr. Ajith Mannapperuma is keen to promote agriculture for food and nutritional security and for micro-enterprise. This links closely with the WPDOA Five Year Plan (2006-2010) and the RUAF-CFF Project.

The meeting closed with Mr. Ajith Mannapperuma confirming his support for the project and indicating that he would be willing to attend and inaugurate the Inception Meeting in May.

5th April 2007: 10.30 to 11.00

Location: Gampaha, Botanical Gardens

Members Present:

• Deputy Director Gampaha Botanical Gardens.
• Dr. Rob Simmons (IWMI)
• Ms. Saba Ishaq (IWMI)
• Dr. Thilak Ranasinghe (Director of Agriculture (Western Province)
• Mr. Peries (Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture (Gampaha District)

A short tour of the gardens was undertaken with a particular focus on the FBG that has been established in the botanaical garden to for the visitors to look at and get inspired to take up such gardening backhomes.
 

5th April 2007: 11.15 to 12.00

Location: Office of the Deputy Provincial Director of Health Services (WP) Dr. Linton Padmasiri.

After initial greetings Rob Simmons asked Dr. Linton Padmasiri if he could summarize the key health issues of Gampaha District (including Gampaha Municipality). Key issues include

• Communicable and non-communicable diseases
• Low birth weight
• Poor diet
• Anemia in women of child bearing age
• Dengue Fever and Chickengunia
• Leptospirosis

Current programs include the provision of Fe (folic acid) to pregnant women, the provision of vitamin A (mega dose) and the establishment of ‘Health Clubs’ at a community level and training by the Public Health Midwife on the preparation of a nutritionally healthy diet. In addition, the Dengue and Chickengunia programs focus on the collection and effective disposal of MSW.

Rob Simmons and Dr. Thilak Ranasinghe summarized the clear linkages between the activities of WPDOA (FBG Concept as linked to HH composting and improved HH nutrition through the cultivation of ‘safe’ nutritious fruits and vegetables) and the program of the health department on the preparation of a nutritionally healthy diet. In addition, there are clear linkages between the program of the Municipality to manage MSW and mosquito control to mitigate outbreaks of Dengue and Chickengunia. Dr. Linton Padmasiri recognized these linkages also and indicated his willingness to attend the Inception Meeting and the significant role that the Department of health could play in the UPA Enabling Team.

Another emerging health issue is a significant increase in the incidence of leptosporosis (5-6 deaths in 2006). This is associated with the abandonment of vast paddy field (which turns out to bea viable habitat for rodents (rats) and if the re-cultivation/construction is taken up in such rat infested areas,there is chance of getting affectd by leptosporosis due to exposure of farmers/workers to bacteria transferred by rat urine) of paddy areas in peri-urban Gampaha.

Note: Treatment costs for dengue, chickengunia and leptosporosis are met by the Provincial Health Department through Public health centre.

Note: Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Many different kinds of animals carry the bacterium Leptospira; they may become sick but sometimes have no symptoms. Leptospira organisms have been found in rodents. Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact, especially with mucosal surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with broken skin. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person.

5th April 2007: 1.30 to 15.00

Lunch in Colombo hosted by Mr. Eliyadura Gunasena Chandrarathna (Secretary to Minister & Chief Secretary WP)

23rd March' 2007

9.00 am to 11.00 am

Meeting with Mr. Mendis and Mr. Eliyadura Gunasena Chandrarathna, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands & Tourism (Western Province) Sri Lanka.

APIIM (Agricultural Productivity Improvement Integrated Movement (Phase III).
Improved Productivity of Existing Paddy Lands
Return abandoned paddy lands to agricultural production (paddy)
If paddy is not an option due to socio-economic reasons (particularly drainage) alternative crops can be utilized

Western Province DOA Priorities

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Flowers/Ornamental Plants
• Paddy
• Other Field Crops (Tubers)

In Gampaha District focus is mainly on Fruit & Flowers. Paddy land is being lost to urbanization and industrial areas (Katunagal, Bigagane)

Gampaha District covers an area of 1387 km2 (2001 Satistics) with a population density of 1,539 persons per km2. Total Population of District was 2.06 million in 2001 of which 16.9% were urban and 83.1% rural.

In 2007 3.0 Million SKR was allocated to WPDOA to promote agriculture in schools. Education is decentralized in Sri Lanka and in WP there are over 1,000 schools under the Provincial Government.

WPDOA received 4.0 Million SKR in 2007 to promote UPA

Urban Development Authority (UDA) responsible for urban development.

WPDOA has land use suitability/land use classification maps. Check also with IWMI-HQ.

Private Sector interested in UPA as a means of achieving ISO Certification through ‘effective environmental management’.

Health Department. Programs on Safe and Nutritious Food. Major nutrient deficiencies in Sri Lanka?

Potential participants to the Inception Meeting in Gampaha include

• NGOs
• Land Reclaimation Board
• Department of Health
• Department of Education
• UDA
• Private Sector (City Garden)
• Municipality (Mayor etc.)
• University

Secretary indicated that there was now no problem to transfer funds to the treasury for project UASCC as the transfer had been approved by the ‘finance commission’. Check with Dr. Thilak on his return and with IWMI-HQ.

Project Planning Meeting to be held during the 4-5th of April. Inception meeting planned for the 7th of May (due to many holidays in April and existing project activities of WPDOA Staff) with follow up meetings with participants during the 8-9th of May.

23-29th of April WPDOA has an Agricultural Promotion Week. UPA and the FBG will be actively promoted at a Provincial Level.

It was agreed that on the 4th of April WPDOA Gampaha District would provode a budget for x3 vehicles/posters/pamphlets to achieve greater promotion. In addition, a RUAF-CFF Project Flyer will be produced in local lanquage to be distributed in Gampaha District during the promotion week.

World Bank Report on Agricultural Extension System in Sri Lanka indicates a very positive review. (Quote from Report: Judy to write up).

Copy obtained of the 2006-2010 5 Year Plan of WP. Chapter 2 focuses on the Agriculture Sector, This is to be translated to English and CD-ROMs produced. Copy of National Agriculture Policy has already been obtained.

Secretary agreed to link the WPDOA and RUAF-CFF websites.

1.30 pm – 4.30 pm

Meeting at Gampaha District DOA Office

Present. Mr. Sunil Peries, Deputy Director of Agriculture (Extension) Gampaha District and x3 other members of Mr. Peries Team + Mr. Mendis.

Key Issues

• MSW collection and disposal
• Promote Aquatic Leafy Vegetables
• Fodder
• Value Addition (Rice Flower, Mushroom (Rice Bran + Saw Dust), Banana Products)
• Agro-Tourism
• Gampaha District
• Rambutan (800 ha)
• Pineapple (1500 ha)
• Flowers
• Jackfruit (Home Garden)
• Banana
• Coconut (44,000 ha)
• Mango (Home Garden)
• Beatle
• Pepper
• Rubber
• Ornamentals
• Aricanuts
• Ornamental Fish

Department of Animal Production and Health (Invite to Inception Meeting)

Leptosporosis (Weels Disease) is becoming increasingly prevalent in Gampaha as associated with abandoned paddy fields and an increase in the rat population.

Industries in Gampaha District are mainly Textile and Garment Industry.

In addition, the Rice Wholesale Market is based in Gampaha (associated milling or rice and generation of rice husk, and bran (animal feed + export)

Population of Gampaha Town = 60,000 Adults (>18 yrs and registered to vote)
Covers and area of 37.5 km2
In Gampaha town there are 33 GS Divisions
Gampaha District is made up of 13 Divisional Secretaries

15,000 HHs in Gampaha

Further information from www.statistics.gov.lk and IWMI- GIS Unit.

Fodder grown in dry zone = Braccaria sp. (Check on this).

Constraints to Agriculture in Gampaha

High labour costs and labour shortages
Young generation not interested in Agriculture
Paddy rice grown in dry zone is processed (milled) in Gampaha so rice is cheap. It is not economical to cultivate.

Climatic data obtained from IWMI-HQ

Training Undertaken by WPDOA (Gampaha District has x2 training centres 1 at Walpita and 1 at Ambelpussa (both have x10 staff).

Residential Vocational Training (1 year all costs covered by WPDOA) for female school leavers (30 students per intake). This training is designed to produce agricultural entrepreneurs. UPA is one of the training modules. However, most are quickly employed by the private sector. In addition, they have no access to credit to be able to launch agri-businesses.

At Walpita Training Centre short courses of 1-2 days are also held in Mushroom Cultivation, Ornamentals and Home Economics, Bee Keeping, Nursery Management and Commercial Fruit Crop Production including grafting and budding.

At Ambelpussa, residential training course (45 days) to mixed school leavers (male + female) in Agricultural Machinary and Equipment for Sustainable Agriculture. Also courses on an introduction to tissue culture (orchids, pineapple, bananas). All costs covered by WPDOA.

Provincial Council Provides funding for training programs (Previously supported by JICA).

MPAP capacity building workshop: 25th to 28th July

4-day long MPAP planning and revisiting MPAP process workshop was organised in Gampaha post the inception meeting held on 22nd May. The first day was opened with formal inauguration by the Mayor of Gampaha and Dr. Thilak Ranasinghe, Director, Western Province Department of Agriculture.  22 participants (9 male + 13 female) from the following organisations; Western Province Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry Department, Health Department, Department of Education, Gampaha Botanical Gardens, Sanasa City Bank , Department of Agrarian Services and Municipal Council of Gampaha

The objective of the workshop was to nominate member for enabling team, joint vision setting, understanding MPAP and UPA, develop progress markers and outcome journals for organisations agreeing to be part of the enabling team, naming the enabling team, developing the year calendar or work plan developing the training schedule division of task on situation analysis, and developing the Terms of reference for the enabling team. With the support and cooperation of all the participants all objectives were achieved. (Ref: TOR). The workshop was facilitated by Saba Ishaq with support from Mr. Nemal Shantha, Mrs. Aruni Premathupke, Mrs. Wasantha Malakanthi and Mrs. D Y Abeyrathna.

Situation analysis and Enabling team meeting
The enabling team of Gampaha “Nagarika Haritha Balakaya- Gampaha met on the third Friday of 17th  August as agreed in the planning workshop and correlated the information collected by them (as agreed in the planning workshop during the situation analysis and task division session) and to discuss the logistic planning of the MPAP II workshop on PRA and Policy review. Satellite image for Gampaha Municipality has been purchased ad landuse mapping has been initiated.

PRA and Policy Review Workshop: 20-22nd and 24th August
3-day workshop on PRA methods and skill building was organised in Gampaha Botanical garden and WPDOA extension office Keladinya (21st August). The topics covered during the three day workshop included introduction to PRA, PRA tools , casestudy, identification of problem and preparation of action plan, urban agriculture in Western province, family business garden and low space no space structures and preparation of community meeting for problem identification, evaluation and analysis and preparation of project proposal based on the same. Trainers from Department of agriculture western province were the resource persons for the activities namely Mr. K.M.S.D. Rodrigo, Ms. Indrani Ekanayake, Ms. K.A.H.K.   Samarathunga Ms. N.J. M. Nathavitharana, Ms. Karmalin Fernando and Ms. Renuka Gunasinghe.

Day III, 22nd August was also important in its opening session as the Honourable Chief Secretary of Agriculture, WP made a visit to interact and expressed his support to the program.

A one day policy review workshop was organized on 24th August in Gampaha Botanical garden. The workshop was facilitated by Saba Ishaq to give a practical understanding of reviewing their institutional policies which have relevance with UPA. The session involved understanding what is policy and its role in UPA, understanding the objectives of reviewing agrarian policy and a practical session on critical policy based on guidelines.

Both the workshop saw the attendance of all the members of “Nagarika Haritha Balakaya- Gampaha 12 participants ( 3 male + 9 female).

Institutional Support for Gampaha

20th Aug: The Honourable Minister confirmed his continued support for the RUAF-CFF programme and indicated that he would inaugurate the launch of the UASCC Project in October 2007.

21st Aug: Meeting with Chief Secretary Western Province, Mr. Victor Samaraweera, Dr. T.T. Ranasinghe, Mr. E. G. Chandrarathna, and Dr. H.R. U. Indrasiri, Director of Health Services (W.P.). The purpose of the meeting was to brief the Chief Secretary (W.P.) on the RUAF-CFF Meeting and to obtain his support. The Chief Secretary agreed to form a high level steering committee made up of the relevant Secretaries namely, Ministry of Agriculture, Health and Education. The Chief Secretary agreed to chair the committee Further, the Director of Health Services gave his approval for his representatives based in Gampaha to participate fully in the Enabling Team for Gampaha “Nagarika Haritha Balakaya-Gampaha”.

National program to motivate domestic food production – 2007-2010

Home Garden Competition

It has been decided to implement several programs to obtain support from all communities towards the national program to motivate domestic food production.  The main item is the home garden competition.

Basic information is available in the publication titled "Api Wawamu - Rata Hadamu" dated 03.09.2007.  Following rules should be followed in organizing and conducting the competition.

1. Advice on Crop Establishment

Agricultural Department should give technical advice considering the climatic zone of the district for crop establishment in 2007/08 Maha.

Based on this, planning and implementing crop establishment may be grouped into wet, dry and intermediate.

2. Areas covered

2.1 Sub areas

1. Private home gardens
2. Model home gardens of Agricultural Research Assistants
3. Model home gardens of government institutes
4. Model home gardens in schools
5. Home gardens of school children
6. Home gardens of MPs
7. Private home gardens of Government officers  and official quarters

The above sub areas will be divided into 02 sectors as follows:

2.2 Urban home gardens

Any home garden of less than 15 perches in extent and falling under the above sub areas are eligible.  In fact, only home gardens within municipality areas could apply.

2.3 Rural home gardens

Home gardens of more than 15 perches in extent will be considered as full home gardens.  Maximum extent that can be considered is half an acre (80 perches).

Steps should be taken to select winners from both urban and rural areas for all sub areas mentioned above.

3. Levels

Competition will have 04 levels.

3.1 Divisional Secretariat level

The best home garden from all sub areas identified under 2.1 above should be selected.

3.2 District level

After inspecting the best home gardens selected under 3.1 above, the 03 best home gardens for each sub area should be selected from each district.

3.3 Provincial level

The best 02 home gardens selected for each sub area from the district (No. 1 and 2 only) should be inspected and the best 03 home gardens selected (as 1, 2 and 3).

3.4 National level

The best 02 home gardens selected for each sub area from the provincial area (No. 1 and 2 only) should be inspected and the best 10 home gardens selected.

At the national level, the winning home gardens will be selected from private, agricultural research assistants, government offices and schools.

Guidelines for section criteria should be drawn up taking into considering the limited time available and using minimum manpower.  Preliminary evaluations could be carried out at Divisional Secretariat level if the DS Division has one Agrarian Services Department.  If there are more than one Agrarian Services Department, this could be done at Agrarian Services area level.

4. Selection criteria

Criteria as per Annex 1 should be used to select the winning home gardens and the suggested marks used at all levels.  By doing so, all applicants will be treated equally.

5. Panel of judges

Except for model home gardens at schools, for all the other sub areas the following steps should be taken.

When selecting judges, if his/her quarters, relations are participating, he/she should not be selected.  But, he/she could be included as a judge in another area.

5.1 Divisional Secretarial level

Selecting the winners of the DS level is the responsibility of the District Secretary, and the committee should consist of at least 03 officers from the Divisional Agriculture Committee.   It is essential to appoint an Agricultural Advisory Committee.

District level

Selecting the winners of the District level is the responsibility of the GA/District Secretary, and the committee should consist of at least 03 officers from the District Agriculture Committee.   

Deputy Agricultural Director (Projects) should be the Chairman of the Committee.

Provincial Level

Selecting the winners of the provincial level is the responsibility of the Chief Secretary.  Selection should be made by a committee consisting of the Provincial Agriculture Director and a minimum of 05 officers.  Provincial Agricultural Director should be the Chairman of the Committee.   

National level

Selecting the winners of the national level is the responsibility of the Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services.  For the national level selection, the Committee should consist the following:

1. A Committee consisting of a minimum of 05 members appointed by the Secretary, including;
2. Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services
3. Director General, Agricultural or a representative
4. Commissioner General of the Agrarian Services or a representative

Model home gardens at schools

A competition at district level will be organized for model home gardens at schools.  To simplify the section of winners, selections can be first done at divisional levels and then from those 03 positions (1st, 2nd and 3rd) at district level.   

Three model home gardens at provincial level and the best 10 home gardens at national level should be selected.

Though the assistance of divisional and district Agricultural Department officials could be sought, winners should be selected by a panel of judges identified by the Provincial Director of Education, Divisional Director of Education and Area Director of Education.

6. Time Schedule

Since the competition takes place during 2007/08 Maha, the national level selections should be completed before 31 January 2008.  All sub area competitions should be finished as per the schedule given below.
           
            Divisional level &
            Provincial Education Director's level             –      Before 15 December 2007
            District level                                                 –      Before 25 December 2007
            Provisional level                                           –      Before 15 January 2008
            National level                                               –      Before 30 January 2008

7. Calling for applications

Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services will advertise in the newspapers in mid-October and applications (other than schools) should be sent under registered post to the Divisional Secretariat.

For the school competition the above time schedule can be followed and the applications can be called by the Ministry of Education as appropriate.

Applications appearing in the newspaper advertisement can be used.  Or else, can be prepared as per the specimen available with the Agricultural research assistants and Grama Niladari offices.

8. Awards

Presidential awards, overseas travel and valuable gifts will be given to the national level winners.

Certificates and valuable gifts will be given to the District level winners.

Your cooperation in conducting the proposed home garden competition to achieve the expected goals is much appreciated.    

National campaign to motivate domestic food production
National Program – 2007-2010

Home Garden Steering Committee

A meeting of the above committee will be held on 05.11.2007 at 2.00 p.m. at the Horticultural Crops Research and Development Institute.

Agenda

1. Duty of the committee towards national campaign to motivate domestic food production
2. New ideas to develop home gardens
3. Help the home garden competitions
4. Progress in Divisions and Districts
5. Future programs                                              

Mr. Thilak Conducting an Exhibition, Training & Advocacy programme on Urban Agriculture and micro-agro-entrepreneurship  at Bombuwala ISTI from 15th -17th November, 2007.