Sri Lanka & Australia Launch AUD 2M Vegetable Recovery Project 📈

The Ministry of Agriculture, the Government of Australia, and the FAO have launched a AUD 2 million (US$ 1.4 million) initiative to restore vegetable production in the highlands following the devastation of Cyclone Ditwah in late 2025. • Overall Impact: Targeted at the Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts to recover from crop and asset losses. • Beneficiaries: Directly supports 2,400+ smallholder farmers, with a specific focus on empowering women and persons with disabilities. • Key Crops: Focuses on restoring production for beans, potatoes, carrots, leeks, cabbage, and tomatoes. • Core Objectives: - Restoring farmer-led seed systems for beans and potatoes. - Establishing 6 inclusive nurseries as sustainable agri-enterprises. - Implementing Climate-Smart Good Agricultural Practices (CSGAP). • Economic Context: The 12-month project aims to reduce reliance on imported seeds, stabilize local food security, and enhance the agriculture sector's resilience to future climate shocks. Based on official project launch data (May 2026).