Farmers get ‘bundled solutions’ to fight weather vagaries
By Yomal Senerath-Yapa
Galenbindunuwewa was ripe with harvest. The golden paddy fields had been freshly reaped, and storks and egrets were picking about in immaculate flocks, as the occasional eagle, harrier or kite swooped down in a sharp dive for a quick meal of whirring insect or munia.
Hidden was the fact that the guardians of these dry zone pastorality were “probably the most vulnerable people in Sri Lanka”
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“70% of earth’s water is used for agriculture and 750 million people in South Asia are exposed to weather and water related disasters,” says Simon.
For the farmer of maize, who relies solely on rain (and not irrigated water like paddy) a slight shower more or less than the required amount could spell disaster. They also have trouble finding quality seeds and access to agricultural advice.
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But insurance is only part of the system. Climate resilient seeds will be provided to farmers from the next season. These hybrid seeds are genetically improved, and can resist to a temperature, or excess rainfall or deficit rainfall.
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