Agriculture is a major economic sector in Sri Lanka, accounting for about 7.4% of the GDP in 2020 and employing over 27% of the population. Of this Smallhold farmers are critical as they produce 80% of the food requirement of the country. Due to various reasons like high costs, lack of knowledge, traditional farming methods smallholder farmers continue to struggle. Recognising the need to intervene in these challenges AOF main action pillar remains the empowerment of farmers especially smallholder, women and youth.
The pillar focuses on a broad range of subjects on agricultural development including field, livestock and fisheries to provide holistic support to farmers encompassing market/consumer support, enhancement of infrastructure and general services. Action will be commissioned along agricultural productivity, value chains, exploring & exploiting local, regional and international demand, farmers development funding for capacity building, strengthening technological effort and innovation capabilities, promoting effective and innovative financing, stimulating private sector participation, improving infrastructure and energy access, agriculture lobbyist, research, policies and implementation frameworks, and agriculture policy monitoring.
