In his 30 years as a farmer, Illeperuma Arachchilage Rathnayake, or Rathnayake as he’s known in his village, struggled to unlock the full potential of his onion seed cultivation. He began cultivating this crop as a 22-year-old with no official training but relied on lessons and cues from other farmers in his area.

Lacking the resources and proper equipment to protect his crops, Rathnayake used bamboo trees and polythene sheets as makeshift shelters. But these structures could not withstand heavy rains and wind, often blowing away and leaving his crops exposed to the elements.

This unpredictable weather and excessive rains, in particular, have been the latest in a series of challenges for the farmers in the rural village of Kalugala, nestled in Sri Lanka’s northern Anuradhapura district.

"Although I have cultivated onions for many years, I was unable to achieve the harvest I desired due to various challenges, particularly the lack of proper rain shelters," describes Rathnayake.

As the sole breadwinner for his family, Rathnayake's income from farming not only sustains his household but also supports his children's education. Despite his determination, low yields and financial hardships often left him contemplating abandoning onion cultivation altogether.