Introduction of Cono Weeder to Farmers in Anuradhapura

Farmers using Cono Weeder to manage weeds in the paddy field

The Cono Weeder, a manually operated machine designed for weeding paddy fields, has been introduced to farmers in hotspot areas by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The machine is currently in operation in Ranorawa, Anuradhapura, a key area under the CSIAP.

 The Cono Weeder works by uprooting weeds with its rotating teeth and burying them in the mud through simple push-and-pull movements. It is easy to operate manually, making it suitable even for heavy clay soils. By using the Cono Weeder, farmers can significantly reduce the need for herbicides, promoting environmentally friendly farming practices.

This initiative is implemented jointly by the CSIAP and the Department of Agriculture, aiming to improve paddy field management, reduce labour intensity, and enhance productivity in climatically vulnerable areas. 

Introduction of the Parachute Method by the CSIAP to Farmers in Hotspot Areas

Broadcasting of seedlings in the paddy field 

The Parachute Method, also known as Seedling Broadcasting, is a novel technique for establishing paddy fields and has been introduced to farmers in hotspot areas by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). This innovative technology allows 12–15-day-old seedlings, grown in small cell plastic nursery trays with mud, to be broadcast directly into paddy fields, simplifying the transplanting process.

The method is being promoted among paddy growers in Mahanikawewa and Ranorawa in Anuradhapura, key CSIAP areas. Project officials, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, are providing technical guidance and training to encourage farmers to adopt this efficient seedling establishment method. The Parachute Method helps reduce labor requirements, shortens the time for field establishment, and supports climate-smart paddy cultivation practices in vulnerable areas.