Under the recently completed project on ‘Integrated Irrigation & Agricultural Livelihood Development in Killinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts’, implemented by FAO with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU), agricultural-based livelihoods for vulnerable farming households were developed, including irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation, improved water resource utilization and crop diversification.

This three-year project was implemented jointly with the Provincial Departments of Irrigation and Agriculture of the Northern Province (NP), the Department of Agrarian Development (DoAD) and the District Secretariats.

The project rehabilitated minor tanks and abandoned lands, revitalized com-munity-based Farmer Organizations (FOs), increased agricultural production of vulnerable farmers through supply of quality seeds of improved varieties, and provided technical training for farmers and agricultural extension staff on water management and improved farming techniques.

Thevipuram tank is one of the tanks which was rehabilitated by this project. “As a result of the rehabilitation of this tank, we, the farming community, now have fresh water from our wells even in the seasons of drought. We make use of this water for our paddy cultivation and for cattle bathing and drinking. The spill water has been diverted into a pond in the jungle to cultivate banana and groundnut," said Mr Kandaiya Krishnapillai, President of the Thevipuram Farmer organization.

“Well-functioning tanks and rehabilitated lands are not only critical for agricultural activities, but lie at the heart of the livelihoods for these families, especially female-headed households, who have returned to their native places,” said Ms. Beth Crawford, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives