A woman posing under a wood awning holding a bushel of dried crops hanging on a rope from the rafters.

Stronger and Healthier Households in Sri Lanka .

Agriculture and Food Security | Economic Growth and Trade | Improved Production Practices and Technologies
Asia

Sri Lanka Supporting Opportunities for Livelihoods Development Activity

Project Dates: October 2012 - September 2017
Sri Lankan farmers are getting linked with buyers, financing, training, and inputs to sustainably increase incomes and improve nutrition in an effort to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable populations.

Severe weather conditions, minimal connections to the private sector, and a lack of training represent challenges that have prevented smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka from increasing their agriculture outputs. Without a strong foundation of outputs, these rural communities cannot move from subsistence farming to small-scale commercial production. The USAID Sri Lanka Supporting Opportunities for Livelihoods Development (SOLID) activity — a pilot under the Asia and Middle East Economic Growth Best Practices project — promoted livelihood development among farmers who work in the dairy, poultry, and horticulture sectors. The activity shared good agricultural practices and focuses on women, youth, and vulnerable populations, training these groups in agribusiness tactics that strengthened livelihoods and productivity. In turn, the activity promoted good nutrition among farmers and their families.

Project Goals


  • Strengthen the livelihoods and productivity of farming households
  • Train smallholder farmers in technologies and agribusiness strategies, enabling them to be more competitive in the marketplace
  • Increase farmer participation in groups that connect them to agricultural best practices and financial services
  • Reach conflict-affected provinces to support vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka’s North and East

Our Impact A New Spin on an Old Crop

Farmers in Sri Lanka are using new techniques to revive chili production and promote economic and financial stability in the Anuradhapura District.

Severe weather conditions, minimal connections to the private sector, and a lack of training represent challenges that have prevented smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka from increasing their agriculture outputs. Without a strong foundation of outputs, these rural communities cannot move from subsistence farming to small-scale commercial production. The USAID Sri Lanka Supporting Opportunities for Livelihoods…

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A man smiling and kneeling amongst green crops.

Our Impact Protecting Farmers Through Safe Pesticide Use in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan farmers commonly use pesticides incorrectly, which puts them at risk. New posters are teaching farmers important messages about pesticide safety.

Severe weather conditions, minimal connections to the private sector, and a lack of training represent challenges that have prevented smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka from increasing their agriculture outputs. Without a strong foundation of outputs, these rural communities cannot move from subsistence farming to small-scale commercial production. The USAID Sri Lanka Supporting Opportunities for Livelihoods…

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People standing in front of a wall with several cartoon posters marked "USAID." Next to the wall is a sign that says, "Safe Use of Pesticides."

Our Impact Introducing Innovative Agricultural Methods in Sri Lanka

New technologies and training are helping farmers in northern and eastern Sri Lanka apply innovative agricultural methods to increase their productivity and market competitiveness.

Severe weather conditions, minimal connections to the private sector, and a lack of training represent challenges that have prevented smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka from increasing their agriculture outputs. Without a strong foundation of outputs, these rural communities cannot move from subsistence farming to small-scale commercial production. The USAID Sri Lanka Supporting Opportunities for Livelihoods…

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An older man examining crops protected by a wire mesh.
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A man sitting in front of a cream-colored wall and speaking.

Collaborating with the Private Sector

How can you work with the private sector to improve nutrition outcomes? David Dyer shares his insights from the USAID Sri Lanka Supporting Opportunities for Livelihoods Development (SOLID) project.

Image of a shed sitting in a field.

Broiler Production Management Program

The Broiler Management Training Program, conducted by USAID Supporting Opportunities for Livelihood Development, helped three Sri Lankan farmers incorporate small-scale poultry farming into their work.

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