In 1999, AOF, together with the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research & Training Institute, set out to strengthen farming communities in the Puttalam district. Many farmers were striving to improve their harvests but lacked access to modern techniques and reliable guidance.

Through a series of hands-on technical training sessions, the project introduced improved practices for cultivating green gram, kawupi, kurakkan, oranges, lemon, and cashew. Farmers learned how to boost yield, manage their crops more efficiently, and reduce post-harvest losses that had long affected their income.

By the end of the program, 350 farmers had not only gained new knowledge but also renewed confidence in their land and livelihoods. The initiative became a small yet significant turning point—helping families embrace better agricultural methods and paving the way for more sustainable farming in the region.