The Climate Smart Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is
committed to transforming young farmers into successful agripreneurs by
offering technical and infrastructural support. One inspiring example is Mr. H.
A. Prabash Kumara, a 41-year-old farmer from Bathalaara village, located in the Nugayaya
Grama Niladhari Division under the Wellawaya Agrarian Service Centre Division.
Thanks to his determination and the strategic support from the CSIAP, Mr. Prabash
has transformed his farming life and now serves as a role model for others in
his community.
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| Farmer Mr. Prabash Kumara |
“Before CSIAP, I struggled to cultivate my five acres of land,” recalls Prabash. “The biggest issue was water scarcity, and I made barely enough to cover labour costs, with no real profit.”
Turning Point with the CSIAP Support
Everything changed when the Deputy Project Director’s
Office of the CSIAP in Uva Province intervened. The project team identified
Prabash’s needs and provided critical support: an agro-well to address chronic
water shortages, a sprinkler irrigation system for his turmeric cultivation and an insect-proof net to protect his chilli crops. “These interventions were a real boost for me to move
forward,” he says. With improved water access and crop protection, Prabash
began cultivating:
1.5 acres of paddy,
3.5 acres of intercropped fields with pumpkin, mango, orange, gotukola,
gherkin, tomato, and banana and long-term crops like guava and coconut. He proudly uses only rainwater and the agro-well water
for his farming needs and even supplies water to five neighbouring families to
help them continue their cultivation.
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| Managing his livestock |
Prabash has embraced Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by using sticky containers to reduce insect damage, avoiding harmful chemicals and promoting healthier produce. He has also established his own plant nursery to meet the seedling demands of his crops. Transportation and sales of his produce are handled by himself, ensuring better market access and profit margins. With his thriving farm, he now provides employment to 12 individuals from Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities, promoting social cohesion and inclusive development. In addition to crop farming, Prabash raises 15 goats and a donkey, using their droppings to produce compost fertiliser, which now makes up 50% of his fertilisation needs. He plans to expand his operations further with polytunnel cultivation, which will create more employment opportunities.
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| Farmer Mr. Prabash with AF Ms. Kasurika |
Gratitude and Recognition
Prabash
expresses his deep gratitude to the CSIAP,
especially to Ms. W. M. Kasurika,
Agriculture Facilitator in Wellawaya, for her unwavering guidance and support
throughout his farming journey. He also extends his sincere thanks to Mr. D.V.C. Nishans, former Agriculture Instructor in the Wellawaya area and Mr. D. M. Sashika Priyankara, present Agriculture
Instructor, whose technical expertise and dedicated assistance
played a crucial role in the successful cultivation of his crops. The combined
support and encouragement from three officers have been instrumental in his
transformation into a successful agripreneur.
Today, Prabash earns a net profit of Rs. 200,000 per month, a remarkable turnaround from his earlier struggles. His journey is a testament to how targeted support, sustainable practices, and personal determination can change lives and uplift communities.
Farmer Mr. Prabash Kumara spoke with heartfelt gratitude, emphasizing how the CSIAP had transformed his life. “Thanks to CSIAP, my life has turned around, and now I help others grow with me,” he said, reflecting a deep sense of purpose and commitment to his community.
Photographs by Nuwan
Dileepa, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, SP&UP, CSIAP
Story by Samantha
Mallawaarachchi, IEC&ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP