On 12 July 2025, Ms. Sherina Tabassum, IFAD Country Director for Sri Lanka & the Maldives, visited a maize cultivation site supported by the Smallholder Agribusiness and Resilience Project (SARP) in Kapiriggama Village, Meemallewa GND, Kallanchiya ASC, Rambewa DS Division.
Representing the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Ms. Tabassum met with beneficiary farmers who are actively engaged in climate-resilient maize cultivation under the project.
Supporting Climate-Smart Maize Farming
The farmers are cultivating hybrid maize varieties with the support of project grants for quality seed. This intervention is designed to:
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Improve crop productivity and yield stability
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Enhance resilience to climate variability
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Strengthen household income
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Contribute to local food security
During the visit, Ms. Tabassum engaged in discussions with farmers, gaining first-hand insight into field-level implementation and the positive impact of the initiative on rural livelihoods.
Strengthening Commitment to Smallholders
The visit underscores IFAD’s continued commitment to empowering smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable, climate-smart agriculture in Sri Lanka. Through strategic investments and close field engagement, SARP and IFAD are working together to build resilient farming systems that respond to the challenges of climate change.
This field interaction reflects a shared vision—supporting smallholders with the resources, knowledge, and partnerships needed to thrive in a changing agricultural landscape.
