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), Mr. Jayalath Bandara. The event was attended by other officials from the Department of Agriculture involved in the project, representatives of SHEP farmer groups in the district, and private sector representing HNB Bank and Keells.
The forums provided an open platform for farmers to share good practices, to discuss the benefits and outcomes of the SHEP approach, to evaluate the overall progress of project activities and to strengthen the relationship between farmers and field officers by establishing a SHEP network.
Farmers, drawing from their experiences over the past two years, presented compelling evidence of the positive transformations resulting from the SHEP approach. These included: Adoption of improved cultivation techniques and modern technologies, Planning crops based on market demand, Maintaining detailed farm records, exploring new marketing channels, including export opportunities, Continuous engagement with buyers, Formation of collective groups for input procurement and produce marketing, Improved access to credit facilities.
Beyond agricultural gains, the approach has also strengthened family dynamics. Farmers highlighted how increased income allowed them to purchase essential assets such as washing machines, motorcycles, and land, and expand their cultivation areas. Importantly, they noted improved joint decision-making between spouses in both farm and household management, leading to better family budgeting and mutual understanding.
Participants emphasized that one of the most unique outcomes of the SHEP project has been the strengthened trust and cooperation between farmers and agricultural extension officers. This enhanced relationship has led to more meaningful, responsive, and supportive advisory services.
Furthermore, farmers highlighted that one of the significant outcomes of the project was the strengthening of the relationship between agricultural extension officers and farmers. The forum also served as an opportunity to enhance interconnections among the farmer groups involved in the SHEP project within the district. Additionally, it provided a valuable platform to gather the insights of Provincial Directors regarding the expected contribution from the Provincial Department of Agriculture for the effective continuation of the project’s future activities.
Officials from Keells and HNB Bank provided farmers with valuable information on the market opportunities and financial facilities available to further support their progress. These interactions reinforced the importance of strong public-private partnerships in enabling farmers to thrive in a competitive, market-oriented environment.
In addition, the forum created an opportunity to raise awareness among farmers about the activities being carried out under the project to strengthen the supply chain alongside the SHEP approach, and the benefits farmers receive through these efforts. This contributed to building a clear and comprehensive understanding of the overall project among all participants.
Importantly, the forum also served as a strong affirmation that the SHEP approach can lead Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector toward sustainable development. It highlighted the importance of a market-oriented agricultural system. Similar district forums have also been successfully conducted in other project-implementing districts, including Matale, Anuradhapura, Monaragala, and Badulla.
