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SHEP
Supported by JICA SHEP & SSC Project of Sri Lanka

The SHEP Approach: Empowering Sri Lankan Farmers to Thrive in a Market-Driven World

SHEP Approach

Introduction to SHEP

Imagine a world where farmers are no longer at the mercy of fluctuating market prices and middlemen. Instead, they have the knowledge, skills, and autonomy to grow crops that meet market demands, ensuring their hard work translates into income and security. This is precisely what the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach aims to achieve. Developed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and first implemented in Kenya in 2006, the SHEP approach has since transformed the lives of thousands of farmers across Africa and Asia.
In Sri Lanka, the SHEP approach is helping small-scale farmers make a shift from the traditional mindset of “grow and sell” to “grow to sell.” This seemingly simple change has a profound effect on farmers’ livelihoods, allowing them to grow what the market truly needs, thereby boosting income, reducing waste, and improving resilience. The JICA-supported SHEP program in Sri Lanka represents a strategic push towards sustainable farming practices that meet market demands and elevate farmers’ quality of life.

Background and History of the SHEP Approach

The Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach was developed through a collaboration between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture. This initiative began in 2006 with a simple but powerful idea: to shift the mindset of small-scale farmers from a “grow and sell” model to a “grow to sell” model. The approach emerged as an innovative solution to key challenges faced by farmers, including limited market access, lack of pricing knowledge, and dependency on middlemen. SHEP emphasized empowering farmers to produce with a market-oriented approach, transforming agriculture into a business that prioritized income generation over mere subsistence.

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SHEP quickly demonstrated its impact in Kenya, where farmers’ incomes doubled in a matter of years. The success of the program led to its expansion across Africa, and today, SHEP is implemented in over 30 countries worldwide, including Sri Lanka. Through various training sessions and community workshops, SHEP has built strong, sustainable farmer networks that focus on market-driven farming and self-reliance. In 2021, JICA introduced the SHEP approach to Sri Lanka as part of a broader effort to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, with the aim of addressing the unique challenges of Sri Lankan agriculture and fostering economic resilience in rural communities.
In Sri Lanka, SHEP’s implementation involves collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and key stakeholders across public and private sectors. Together, they work to empower farmers with the skills, market knowledge, and community support needed to succeed in today’s dynamic agricultural landscape. This commitment not only uplifts individual farmers but also strengthens local economies and builds a foundation for sustainable agricultural growth.

The Core Principles of SHEP

At the heart of SHEP is the empowerment of smallholder farmers. Unlike traditional agricultural approaches that focus solely on productivity, SHEP emphasizes market orientation and empowers farmers to think like entrepreneurs. This approach is built on two pillars:
    1. Promoting Farming as a Business
      The SHEP model recognizes the economic imbalances that often prevent small farmers from accessing critical market information. By addressing this information gap, SHEP enables farmers to plan and grow crops with a clear market in mind. This fosters an environment where farmers can thrive economically, producing what is in demand and avoiding the pitfalls of oversupply.
    2. Motivating and Empowering Farmers
      SHEP empowers farmers not just with technical knowledge but also with the motivation to be self-reliant. The approach draws on principles of self-determination, giving farmers autonomy over their farming choices, fostering competence through training, and creating a strong sense of community. This unique focus on motivation helps ensure that farmers are committed to long-term change.

The Four Steps of the SHEP Approach

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The success of the SHEP approach lies in its structured, step-by-step approach to training and empowering farmers. Let’s dive into the four steps that define the SHEP journey.
Step 1: Sensitization and Goal Sharing
The SHEP journey begins with sensitization workshops, where farmers are introduced to the idea of market-oriented agriculture. This isn’t just a meeting—it’s an eye-opener that shifts farmers’ perspectives, helping them see farming as a business. During these sessions, all stakeholders, including local leaders and agricultural experts, come together to discuss the shared goal: enabling farmers to grow crops with the market in mind. This shared vision fosters a sense of unity and purpose among farmers and stakeholders.

 
Step 2: Raising Awareness through Market Surveys
One of the most powerful aspects of the SHEP approach is that it doesn’t just tell farmers what to grow; it equips them with the tools to find that out for themselves. In Step 2, farmers conduct market surveys to understand what crops are in demand, what quality standards are expected, and what pricing trends look like. They speak directly to market players—retailers, middlemen, even supermarket buyers—and gather insights into customer preferences. This experience is transformative; farmers return from these surveys with newfound confidence and a clear sense of direction.

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Step 3: Decision-Making in Crop Selection and Planning
Armed with market knowledge, farmers are now ready to make informed decisions about what to grow. In Step 3, farmers select target crops that align with both market demand and their own resources. They also develop crop calendars, planning the timing of planting, harvesting, and selling to maximize profit. This step is all about empowerment—farmers are no longer following a one-size-fits-all model but are crafting a business plan tailored to their unique situation.

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Step 4: Technical Training and Skills Development
The final step in the SHEP approach involves in-field technical training tailored to the needs of the chosen crops. Farmers learn best practices for planting, pest management, irrigation, and harvesting—all tailored to the demands of the market. These trainings, led by skilled agricultural extension staff, are hands-on and practical, focusing on techniques that are easy to adopt and suited to local conditions. With these skills, farmers are prepared to produce high-quality crops that meet market standards.

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Benefits of the SHEP Approach for Farmers

  • The impact of the SHEP approach on farmers’ lives goes far beyond increased income. Here are some of the transformative benefits that SHEP has brought to smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka:
    • Increased Income and Financial Security
      The “grow to sell” mindset equips farmers to meet market demand, resulting in better prices and consistent income. Many farmers under SHEP report that they’ve been able to improve their standard of living, reinvest in their farms, and even start small businesses on the side.
    • Enhanced Market Access and Reduced Dependency on Middlemen
      By establishing direct connections with buyers, SHEP farmers have more control over the prices they receive. This independence from middlemen not only boosts their income but also gives them greater control over their operations.
    • Positive Social Impact: Gender Inclusion and Community Empowerment
      SHEP is more than an economic program; it’s a community builder. The program emphasizes the importance of gender inclusion, encouraging both men and women to participate equally in decision-making and training. This holistic approach strengthens the social fabric of rural communities, as families work together towards common goals.

SHEP’s Current Status and Impact in Sri Lanka

SHEP’s implementation in Sri Lanka targets some of the country’s most vulnerable agricultural regions, including districts like Badulla, Monaragala, Anuradhapura, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya. These areas, characterized by small landholdings and economic challenges, have benefited greatly from the SHEP approach. Farmers in these regions are not only increasing their income but also becoming more resilient against economic fluctuations and environmental challenges. By empowering these farmers, SHEP is playing a crucial role in stabilizing and uplifting Sri Lanka’s rural economies.

Future of SHEP in Sri Lanka

Looking ahead, JICA aims to expand the reach of SHEP to more districts in Sri Lanka, incorporating lessons learned and continuously adapting the model to local needs. The focus will be on scaling up successful practices, further strengthening supply chains, and ensuring the sustainability of these gains. With support from the Sri Lankan government and local partners, the vision is to make SHEP a cornerstone of agricultural development, bringing prosperity and stability to rural communities across the country.