More than 1,300 farmers received over Rs 1.6 million as part of insurance payouts for crop damage caused by excess rain or dry spells. The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), together with local partners, introduced the initiative which is part of a project that helps Sri Lanka’s smallholder farmers develop resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.

“It is expected that the poorest and most marginalized communities will be the hardest hit from the projected impacts of climate change, increasing poverty and inequality,” said Dr. Giriraj Amarnath, IWMI’s Research Group Leader – Water Risks and Disasters (WRD), at the ceremony to hand over the monies. “Through this project, our goal is to empower rural farmers in this country with hi-tech agricultural technologies.”

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