Help families access water all year round so they can grow their farms—and their incomes.
In Anuradhapura, water is life.
For generations, smallholder farmers have relied on ancient tanks—seasonal reservoirs that hold water through the dry months—to sustain their crops and families. But today, many of these tanks are broken or silted up. As a result, hundreds of acres of farmland lie uncultivated for much of the year.
For so many farmers, this is their reality. They own 3 to 5 acres of land—but remain poor. With no irrigation in the dry season, and increasingly erratic rains during the wet season, they live at the mercy of the climate.
When I met Sharadi, she said simply:
“If I cultivate the land, I eat. If not, I don’t.”
She has three children and struggles to put food on the table during the lean months. Behind her, acres of land stretch out, and a tank—once a lifeline—sits cracked and empty. It feels almost surreal that this land, full of potential, is failing the people who depend on it.
This is something we can change.
We will work with 800 families in this division, supporting the full rehabilitation of 9 community tanks, reaching 3360 people.
Above you can see tanks without the proper infrastructure to hold water to support farmers to cultivate during the lean months.
With functioning tanks, farmers can plant more, harvest more, and finally turn their land into a reliable source of income.
How we’ll make it happen:
- Community engagement: We’ll work closely with farmers to understand their challenges and priorities and ensure full participation throughout the project.
- Government collaboration: As the tanks are government-owned, we’ll partner with relevant authorities to secure approvals and ensure the rehabilitation aligns with public standards and community needs.
- Labour through Agricultural Societies: To reduce costs and build ownership, farmers will contribute labour through their agricultural societies, ensuring the solution is community-driven and maintained.
- Value chain support: After restoring water access, we’ll help farmers upgrade their practices—such as adopting longer-yielding paddy varieties—to increase profits and resilience.
- New livelihood opportunities: With water restored, we’ll support farmers to diversify—exploring inland fishing, lotus cultivation, and other income-generating activities suited to their environment.
Why this matters
Water isn’t just about farming—it’s about food, income, dignity, and opportunity. Without it, families remain trapped in a cycle of poverty. With it, entire communities can transform.
Donate today. Help these farming families unlock the power of their land—and their future.