Improving Livelihoods for a Farming Community

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

To improve the livelihoods of a largely farming community, Palmera has revived an agricultural well that was in dire need of reconstruction in Malayalapuram, Killinochchi. The well was falling apart, and unsafe for farmers and the community to access, resulting in lost production and income. The new well, completed in August 2012, will improve a majority of the 500 farmers’ ability to gain a regular income and thereby improve the wellbeing of their families and the community.

BACKGROUND

Prior to the Sri Lankan civil war, Malayalapuram was a largely farming community with farmers comprising around 95% of the working population. Due to the lack of clean water, only a small number of farmers can today gain a regular income from farming. The current farming well in South Malayalapuram is in a dilapidated condition – its walls falling apart, its depth shrinking due to debris, and the lack of farming specific attachments has meant it is cumbersome, inefficient and dangerous to use. Lack of access to a sustainable source of water has severely restricted the quantity and quality of the rice that the farmer’s can produce and therefore, contributed to the farmers’ struggle in providing for their loved ones. Nearby families have also suffered from ill health due to the lack of access to clean water.

THE BENEFITS

  • Provides a sustainable source of water to a majority of the 500 South Malayalapuram farmers, thus allowing them to earn a regular income
  • Enables regular production of rice to support farmers, the residents of Malayalapuram and residents of the larger nearby centre of Killinochchi
  • A multi-purpose well, also providing a safe and sustainable source of drinking water for around 50 people from communities living close by.

The well will now be managed and maintained by representatives from the local community. Palmera has provided the representatives with the appropriate training and information to up keep the well in good condition.