Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security unit (SA&FS)

Caritas Sri Lanka is using different strategies to empower the social and economic wellbeing of the poor and marginalized people in Sri Lanka. The Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security Unit of Caritas has been established to promote sustainable agriculture to ensure food security for poor and marginalized populations by aiming to create food access, availability, utilization, and stability. Through this integrated approach, the following three main outcomes are expected to be achieved through our work: a healthy environment, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.

Caritas Norway Delegation Engages in Heartfelt Discussion with the Chairman of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference in Sri Lanka

In a notable encounter on January 30, 2024, a delegation from Caritas Norway, featuring Mr. Tobias Wilbers (Program Advisor for the Food Security Program, Senior Advisor for Peace and Reconciliation, Caritas Norway), and Ms. Maria Langås (Humanitarian advisor, Caritas Norway), engaged in a meaningful discussion with Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Antony Perera, the Bishop of

Exploring Sustainable Transformation: Caritas Norway’s Inspiring Visit to Caritas Sri Lanka

In a harmonious collaboration promoting positive change, Mr. Tobias Wilbers, the Program Advisor for the Food Security Program and Senior Adviser for Peace and Reconciliation, along with Ms. Maria Langås, a Humanitarian Adviser, from Caritas Norway commenced an enlightening journey to Sri Lanka Food Security program field locations in Kandy, Anuradhapura, and Vanni. This transformative

Climate Adaptive Approaches and Practices as Priorities in the Village Knowledge Centers of Caritas Sri Lanka

A capacity Building excursion on the Village Knowledge Centers(VKCs) and Village Resource centers of MS Swaminathan Foundation (MSSRF), India was organized on June 16-21, 2023, from the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security unit, under the Project “Addressing Causes for Poverty and Ensuring Food Security for Farming Communities” of Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC. There were

Caritas Sri Lanka moves into an innovative strategy for communication development

Village Knowledge Centres (VKCs) are community-focussed to address the needs of the community through various information technologies and innovative ways. VKCs are village-level community institutions located in common places, enabling farmers to access all their knowledge requirements in the village. The concept addresses the strong disconnect between farmers and knowledge holders underpinning the need for

A visit to perceive the impact of the FS Program – Caritas Vanni – HUDEC

Caritas Sri Lanka encourages small-holder farmers to ameliorate their capacity and attentiveness to be resilient to food insecurity over a decade. Caritas Norway / NORAD-funded Food Security Program is being a pillar of strength for the communities to enhance the self-sufficient family economy at the grassroots level. Recently the CSL team visited random target locations

Resolving conflict within the family towards a conflict-free community.

We experience conflict in every stage of our life. The ability to resolve conflicts with one another is a critical life skill, especially in today’s disruptive society. Looking for ways to resolve a conflict that meets the needs of both parties is challenging. Taking this matter into consideration, Caritas Sri Lanka –SEDEC jointly with Caritas Chilaw organized

Training on sustainable Pond Fish farming for enhancing Food Security and Nutrition

“Fish” contribute significantly to the protein intake of the people of Sri Lanka with 70 percent of the annual protein consumption being derived from fish. According to the statistics, Freshwater fishery contributes about 20% of the total fish production of the country. Aquaculture in Sri Lanka is based on pond fish culture and seasonal village

Case study 1 – Proposed Village Knowledge Centre at Minukkan Village – Mannar

“I was so impressed with this VKC model to render distant services from a single window point to rural masses of remote areas” -Issatheen- Village Focal Point / Key local driver for knowledge service   Issatheen is one of our passionate smallholder farmers and retired government worker from Minukkan Village, – Mannar who has joined

Aron Halfen from Caritas Norway Visited Caritas’ Food Security Program

Mr. Aron Halfen, Senior Advisor, Caritas Norway visited the Food Security program field locations in Chilaw, Mannar, Jaffna, Vanni and Kandy on 17th to 22nd November 2021 accompanied by the Rev. Father Mahendra Gunatilleke, National Director, Mr. Priyantha Fernando, Program Manager, Mrs. Nilani Tissera, National Program Coordinator, and Mr. Nishanth, Regional Coordinator (North & East) from Caritas

Caritas Sri Lanka Network Commemorates WORLD FOOD DAY – 16 October 2021

“OUR ACTIONS ARE OUR FUTURE ”Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”  World Food Day was created by the UN in 1979, recognizing food as not a privilege but a right. It’s a day to draw attention to the hungry and the undernourished, and to ensure healthy diets for all. Caritas

Fertilizer issue grabs attention by Caritas Sri Lanka

The Government’s new policy decision to go for organic farming with a rigid ‘no’ to chemical fertilizer and other agrochemicals has moved to a new controversial debate in the country. In such a situation, under the guidance  of Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatilleke, National Director, CSL the National Food Security Division, CSL conducted a National level Webinar on

The Caritas Food Security Program – one of the great impacts on Sri Lankan farming households during the lockdown

Caritas Sri Lanka-SEDEC is implementing this program by aiming to safeguard food security for subsistence farmer households in urban & rural poor and marginalized communities inclusive of war widows, women, youth, school children, pre-school children and their mothers by switching over to sustainable agricultural practices and to protect them from malnourishment by 2022. The program

Food Security Program built its Capacity by training staff of Food Security program and Lead farmers on key advocacy and Lobbying skills.

A  capacity building training was  organized under the program of “Addressing causes for poverty and ensuring food security for farming communities” implemented by Sustainable Agriculture Unit, Caritas Sri Lanka-SEDEC, in order to address one of the key objectives- ‘Communities are mobilized and the civil society organizations are agents of change’.  The main focus of this

CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME- in the light of ‘Laudato Si’

Tree Planting Ceremony at St. Joseph Vaz Shrineat Mahagalgamuwa  “Planting trees to combat global warming; Planting trees to save the environment.”  The surrounding area of the National Shrine of St. Joseph Vaz was alive with the smiling faces of the youth from the area carrying banners and placards on the benefits of planting trees in a procession

Emergence of the food security program amidst COVID -19 challenge to defeat Hunger

“No one should die of Hunger-End Hunger by 2025”- Pope Francis Caritas Sri Lanka –SEDEC is implementing the program “Addressing causes for poverty and ensuring food security for farming communities” by aiming to switch over to sustainable agricultural practices through development of Home gardens with the support of Caritas Norway/NORAD. This program is implemented in

NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR VISITS CARITAS’ FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM IN THE KANDY DIOCESE

On the invitation of Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatilleke, National Director, H.E. Trine JØranli Eskedal, Ambassador of Norway visited the Food Security program field location in Galaha, Kandy on 17 October 2019 accompanied by Malraji Wanniarachchi, Seniour Advisor, Development and Thilini Kahandawaarachchi, Political Advisor, from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. As a result of the strong partnership

World Food Day 2019

Caritas Sri Lanka network commemorated the World Food Day 2019 on 16th October 2019 at Caritas Sri Lanka –SEDEC. This year WFD is being observed under the theme “Our Actions Are Our Future Healthy Diets for A# Zero Hunger World.” The opening ceremony commenced with the Holy Eucharistic celebrated by Rev. Fr. Desmond Perera, Diocesan