As of today, Sri Lanka is experiencing a slow and fragile phase of economic recovery following the severe crisis that erupted in 2022, marked by high inflation and widespread food insecurity. Since 2017, GDP growth has progressively slowed, contracting during the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately culminating in a sovereign debt default. Despite recent macroeconomic stabilization measures supported by international assistance programs, the effects of the crisis continue to weigh heavily on the population, particularly on the most vulnerable groups.
Although overall inflation has declined sharply from the critical levels recorded in 2022, rising prices of essential goods—especially food—remain one of the main challenges. Fiscal reforms introduced to restore public finances have contributed to increasing the cost of living, negatively affecting households’ purchasing power and leading to higher levels of poverty and food insecurity, particularly in rural areas.
At the same time, the agricultural sector continues to be under significant pressure. Policies aimed at reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, while aligned with environmental and public health objectives, have not been accompanied by adequate measures to support the transition, disproportionately affecting small-scale producers. These challenges are further compounded by the growing impacts of climate change, which undermine agricultural productivity and the stability of rural livelihoods, making it urgent to adopt more resilient and sustainable production models capable of strengthening the country’s food security.
It is within this context that the ICEI-led Rural Food project is being implemented. Building on its experience in agroecology, the project aims to support small enterprises and producers in the agricultural sector through the provision of equipment and training pathways, promoting the adoption of Agroforestry Systems (AFS) to develop sustainable production models capable of ensuring food security.
The project aims to improve the income and food security of smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and their families by promoting increased and diversified agricultural production. Through the introduction of agroforestry techniques, the intervention seeks to strengthen the resilience of production systems and contribute to a sustainable increase in rural incomes.
The project involves several categories of beneficiaries across 12 different communities in the districts of Monaragala, Badulla, and Kandy:
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500 spice growers and their families
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20 farmer groups, totaling 200 workers
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12 technicians from the District Departments of Agriculture and other public and private agricultural institutions
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20 small enterprises in the agricultural sector
Project activities
The project includes a comprehensive package of activities aimed at strengthening the productive and organizational capacities of smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs. First, 500 spice growers will receive specialized training in organic and sustainable agriculture, with a particular focus on Agroforestry Systems, delivered by sector experts. Training activities will take place directly on the farmers’ land, fostering a practical and context-based approach and enhancing participants’ ability to transfer the acquired skills to the wider community.
In support of the training pathway, Demonstration Agroforestry Result Fields will be established in 10 community areas, serving as spaces for hands-on learning and on-site demonstration of agroforestry techniques. In parallel, 60 individual agroforestry plots will be developed for selected small-scale producers, who will receive a starter kit consisting of seeds, equipment, and technical assistance to initiate productive activities.
The project also envisages supporting 400 producers in the process of obtaining social and environmental sustainability certifications, based on their capacity to complete the process within the project duration, with the aim of improving market access and increasing product value.
Finally, to increase both the quantity and quality of agricultural production and to strengthen local value chains, groups of farmers and small rural entrepreneurs will be selected to access co-financing mechanisms aimed at improving processing and post-harvest operations. These actions will be complemented by training in business management and marketing, as well as by the organization of trade fairs and commercial events designed to facilitate connections with new market opportunities.