Food Security

The data collected from multiple panchayats in the region paints a sobering picture. In areas such as Dhangwan, Laharpur, and Boridand, over 40 per cent of farmers surveyed reported a drastic decrease in crop diversity in the past decade.

Dhankhar urged farmers to see themselves as entrepreneurs with the potential to drive rural economies. He underscored the importance of participating in the input chain of agriculture (fertilizers, pesticides, machinery) and the output chain including storage, processing, and retail.

The ministry of agriculture and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will jointly implement the campaign with a broad coalition of stakeholders, including agricultural universities, state government departments, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and leading progressive farmers.

The municipality has handed over the operation of the ambulance to the cooperative until mid-August. While the vehicle remains property of the local government, the day-to-day operations are fully managed by the Ekata Agricultural Cooperative.

The scheme has promoted the ideals of transparency and participatory democracy, with Gram Sabhas playing an active role in selecting projects and monitoring their progress.

Tourism, one of Sri Lanka’s key economic drivers, is set to receive $200 million. These funds will be used to protect and enhance natural and cultural heritage sites, create employment opportunities, and ensure local communities benefit directly from tourism revenues.

In recent years, a series of proposed mineral extraction projects along this fragile stretch, particularly near Alampil Beach in Mullaitivu district, has triggered alarm among environmentalists, local residents, and civil society.

As smart farming technologies continue to mature, frameworks like this will be key to ensuring that agriculture not only meets the demands of a growing global population but does so in a way that is sustainable, efficient, and secure.