International SHEP Training in Sri Lanka
From September 8 to 12, 2025, the International SHEP (Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment & Promotion) Training was conducted in Sri Lanka, jointly organized by JICA and the Department of Agriculture (DOA).This training marked the first time the program was held in an Asian country, representing a significant initiative to promote market-oriented agriculture across the region. 🗣Participants:A […]
Second Agribusiness Forum
The Second Agribusiness Forum, organized under the JICA SHEP and Supply Chain Structure Strengthening Project implemented in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the JICA, was successfully held on June 5, 2025. This program, organized for farmers and agricultural extension officers, aimed to raise awareness on quality inputs and advanced agricultural technologies necessary for […]
Regional SHEP Forums – 2025
The Nuwara Eliya District SHEP Forum, organized under the JICA SHEP & SSC Project jointly implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DoA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was successfully held on March 27, 2025, under the respectful guidance of Director General of Agriculture, Mrs. Shiromani Edirimanne, and Provincial Director of Agriculture (Central province), […]
Sharing Agricultural Knowledge and Experience through Field Exposure Visits
Under the fourth step of the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach, which focuses on farmers acquiring essential skills, they gain new knowledge about the crops they have already selected. Additionally, there is a high level of willingness among farmers to engage in this step. To facilitate this learning process, field training programs are […]
From Farmer to Consumer – Selling Fresh Vegetables Directly
The Bovamuwa SHEP Farmers’ Group, representing farmers from the Nuwara Eliya District, sold their freshly produced vegetables directly to consumers for the third time today (February 25, 2025), at the premises of the head office of the Department of Agriculture in Peradeniya. This initiative was carried out as one step under the JICA SHEP and […]
Training of Trainers (ToT) Program Strengthens the Expansion of SHEP Approach in Sri Lanka
The Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach continues to make a significant impact on Sri Lankan agriculture. Over the past two years (2023 and 2024), the SHEP approach has been successfully introduced to 37 farmer groups across five districts: Monaragala, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, and Badulla. As a result, these farmers have transformed their […]
First Agribusiness Forum
On January 16, 2025, the first Agribusiness Forum, aimed at strengthening the supply chain, was successfully held at the Agri Information Hub and Seed Sales Center in Dambulla. The agribusiness forum brought together farmers, traders, and agricultural extension officers to focus on raising awareness of effective post-harvest management practices for enhancing the vegetable supply chain. […]
Training on Field Hygiene and Post-Harvest Management of Tomato
A comprehensive training program on field hygiene and post-harvest management of tomatoes was recently conducted for all field officers and farmers from selected farmer groups in each target district. This initiative aimed to equip field officers with the knowledge and skills required to improve field hygiene practices and ensure better crop health and yield. The […]
SHEP FORUM – 2024
The SHEP Forum, organized under the JICA SHEP & SSC Project implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DoA) in collaboration the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was successfully held on December 18, 2024. It brought together officials from the Department of Agriculture, the JICA Sri Lanka office, JICA SHEP and SSC project staff, SAFE project […]
The first In-Field Training in developing SHEP farmers’ knowledge and skills
The fourth step of the SHEP (Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion) approach helps farmers gain practical skills to grow selected horticultural crops. These skills are taught through In-field training based on farmers’ needs, allowing them to apply new methods on their farms right away. As part of the plan from the third step, the first […]