The World Bank on Monday, March 11, 2019 approved $125 million loan for Sri Lanka to help small farmers improve productivity and tackle climate change, local media reported.
The World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, said this in Colombo.
The programme will benefit more than 470,000 small farmers in six provinces in the dry zone of the country, selected for being most exposed to climate impacts, a statement from the World Bank said.
Sri Lanka is particularly vulnerable to climate-related natural disasters such as floods and droughts with hundreds of people killed in recent years.
“Innovation, including the introduction of improved crop varieties, cropping patterns, water resources management, among others, can help farmers adapt to changing climate and improve their incomes and livelihoods.” Pswarayi-Riddihough said.
The project will ensure that all farmers obtain adequate access to training and research.
Agriculture in is one of the worst-affected sectors by climate change in Sri Lanka.
Agriculture contributes about 7.7 per cent to the country’s economy and employs 27 per cent of the population, more than 38 per cent of which are women.
