SRI LANKA National IPM Programme

Facts and figures Operational since: 1984, FFS training since1995 Implementing Agencies: Department of Agriculture, Maha-weli Authority, CARE Donors: Netherlands, Australia, Norway, through FAO Regional IPM Programme FFS conducted: 613 Farmers trained: 12,260 (up to year 2002) (10 % female) Trainers trained: 255 (5 % female) Main crop: Rice

Achievements:
Despite a long history of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) development in Sri Lanka, "Participatory IPM" through FFS started in 1995 with technical and financial support made available by the FAO Regional Rice IPM Programme. Major expansion of FFS training across the major rice growing areas in Sri Lanka took place from 1999 onwards. To capture the impact of IPM-FFS training, several studies were implemented in 2002, showing a 23% increase in yield and a 41% increase of profit from rice cultivation by IPM-FFS graduates. Whereas herbicide use remained unchanged, insecticide use was reduced by 81 %. Rather than burning rice straw and stubbles after harvest, the impact study also revealed that IPM-FFS graduate farmers incorporated rice straw (used by 31% non –IPM farmers but 84 % by IPM farmers) back into the soil. Together with application of manure, this practice helps to improves physical and biological soil properties important for sustainable rice production with reduced inputs of agrochemicals, both pesticides and fertilizers. Return on investments of FFS training interventions showed a recovery rate of over 700%. Whereas evidence of diffusion of IPM among farmer communities in different villages was negligible, the study showed that diffusion of IPM practices among farmers within IPM-FFS communities was considerable. IPM-FFS graduate farmers have also been recognized as quality seed producers and have began testing new planting methods to reduce the reliance on herbicides. Farmers have re-invested profits to set up small agri-bussiness activities such as marketing of pesticide-free rice, purchase of three-wheel taxi, sewing machine, refrigerator for yoghurt preservation and bee keeping for honey production and provision of pollination services. In conclusion, Participatory IPM, promoted through FFS interventions, was found to be decidedly cost effective, sustainable and providing tangible benefits for rice farming communities in rural Sri Lanka.

Innovations
a) Integrated Pest and Vector Management (IPVM) Project: Building on the IPM-FFS programme, a mosquito vector management project was initiated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka in 2002. Mosquito larvae are vectors of important human diseases, like Japanese Encephalitis and Malaria, and thrive abundantly in paddy fields. Productivity losses resulting from these diseases Operational since: 1984, FFS training since1995 Implementing Agencies: Department of Agriculture, Mahaweli Authority, CARE Donors: Netherlands, Australia, Norway, through FAO Regional IPM Programme FFS conducted: 613 Farmers trained: 12,260 (up to year 2002) (10 % female) Trainers trained: 255 (5 % female) Main crop: Rice and associated medical treatment costs bear heavily on livelihoods of local farming communities. Management of vectors in rice ecosystems had so far been neglected. Synergies between IPM and vector management operate on several fronts. Alternate wetting and drying of paddy fields reduces the incidence of rice pests, improves plant root development and effectively reduces the emergence of adult mosquitoes. Moreover, as IPM farmers refrain from applying insecticides early in the season, they not only reduce the chance of pest resurgence but also reduce mosquito populations resulting from more effective ecosystem services provided by natural biological control.

Due to the multi-disciplinary nature of the project it required the involvement of several government departments like the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka. This itself was a unique experience, integrating agriculture with health for the purpose of providing a better service and upgrading the livelihoods of rural communities.

The Integrated Pest and Vector Management (IPVM) project was implemented in Sri Lanka successfully from 2002 to 2007 with funding from the Global IPM Facility followed by UNEP.

TOT for IPVM facilitators - A practical session	Distribution of quality paddy seed to new clubs

b) Formation of IPVM Clubs:
As to ensure sustainability of project interventions, Integrated Pest and Vector Management Clubs were formed in villages where FFS training was conducted. This way, farmers themselves could continue the activities they learnt at the FFS while disseminating that knowledge to other farmers. Besides they could also maintain the good relations developed during training with
government officials and have continuous interaction with those organizations for the betterment of the community. In order to provide a good financial start, a sum of USD 500 was donated to each club to build up a revolving fund. This revolving fund is then managed by farmer themselves and used to support club members in their agricultural activities. A membership fee is
collected of which a portion goes to a savings account of each member. Credit is now provided free of interest to members. With this credit, farmers invest in small agri-business activities, similar as described above.

For more information: www.agridept.gov.lk , with link to “Plant Protection Service”