| Location: | The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka – Colombo | Term of Cooperation: Year: 2017 August 7th – August 13th |
| Implementing Organizations: | Palestinian International Cooperation Agency – PICA Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture The Strategic Enterprise Management Agency – SEMA | SDG:    |
| Background: | As the main public diplomacy tool of the State of Palestine, PICA transfers Palestinian expertise to the countries of the South in the attempt to realize the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this mission, PICA started a project in Sri Lanka in 2017 aiming at assessing the agricultural sector and transfer Palestinian know-how in agriculture using Palestinian agricultural experts to Sri Lanka to support this brotherly country and show solidarity with its people in the form of sustainable development. | |
| Purpose: | This missions aims at assessing the agricultural sector and, accordingly, presenting a report containing findings, conclusions and clear recommendations, suggesting a plan of action to help develop and enhance the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka and start implementing Palestinian-Sri Lankan cooperation programs to strengthen the relations between the two countries. | |
| Outputs: | 1. PICA agreed to send a number of experts and specialists for medium-term periods to help strengthen the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka, including fields such as water management, organic agriculture and agricultural development. 2. A report on practical conclusions and recommendations including the strategies and systems for safety food products and other recommendations that address the needs and priorities expressed by stakeholders in the Sri Lankan agricultural sector. | |
| Activities: | 1. A number of meetings were held by Palestinian delegation headed by director general of PICA Mr. Imad Zuhairi and Sri Lankan decision makers, officials concerned headed by Sri Lankan Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Mr. Domenica Desanayaki and the head of the Sri Lankan agency Mr. Asoka Abigonwardana and special adviser to the President of Sri Lanka Mr. Ratana Theiro. (At the meeting, Senior Advisor to HE the President, Rev. Ratana and Chairman of SEMA – Mr. Ashoka, explained in detail about the National Food Production Program and its special emphasis on Non – toxic Agriculture. They also highlighted details of ten-fold non-toxic agriculture and how it is linked to bringing traditional knowledge with modern ecological research findings and development of a consumer network for long-term sustainability for the farmers. 2. Meeting of the Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health, Head of Investment Agency and Chairman of Sri Lanka Business Association. The interest of Sirilankan government to learn, share and build partnerships with Palestine, giving access to its experience on sustainable agriculture, especially on how they have developed such a great program under very difficult circumstances such as climate change and its effects, drought and population density in certain geographical locations. 3. Meeting with Senior Staff of the Ministry of agriculture took place to study modalities and actions that are needed for the Palestinian team to best realize the objectives of this first mission. The seniors concentrated on the following needs: – The drought and irrigation systems – Introducing modern mechanization and green houses. – And capacity building and decrease use of chemicals. 4. During the meeting a simple questionnaire was submitted the seniors to achieve a clear picture on the situation of organic farming. 5. Few other special meetings between SEMA and PICA delegation took place for appropriate implementation and follow up of recommendations and action Plan. 6. The Palestinian technical delegation visited a number of agricultural sites and rural communities targeted by the program outside the capital Colombo, in order to formulate a joint program with a clear action plan as preparatory step to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency “PICA” and the Sri Lanka Strategic Development Agency. Field visit to Dambulla A meeting with Barabowa farmers association was held in the association headquarter. Through the discussion data on organic agriculture were collected from the chief of the association. The main problems which were noticed are related to absence of irrigation systems. The poor fertility. The need of modern mechanization in agriculture. The delegation visited Wholesale market where the agricultural products are marketed. Field visit to Kantale, Trincomalee District SEMA has suggested having a pilot project with farmers in traditional agriculture in the area of Kantalein Trincomalee District where the Government is currently implementing a major irrigation project. PICA team visited the identified area in Kanthalewhich belongs to three very strong farmer’s associations. Farmer Association representatives, officials of the relevant government ministries and representatives of the provincial council participated at the meeting held after the filed visit. | |
| Working Framework: | Transfer of knowledge in the agricultural sector. | |
| Beneficiaries: | The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |