FAO, Italy to enhance livelihoods in South, East

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the Italian Cooperation concluded a workshop designed to put in place mechanisms for the development of model coastal communities in Hambantota, Ampara and Batticaloa. The workshop was opened on July 27 by Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources G. Piyasena.

The workshop included 15 experts from six countries. Various agencies were represented including FAO, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, University of Peradeniya, STREAM Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia Pacific (Thailand), National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka, and A.P. Remote Sensing Application Centre (India).

The workshop was designed to consolidate the planning tools used for the Italian Cooperation financed project called "Integrated programme for the rehabilitation of the fisheries sector in the tsunami-affected districts of Hambantota, Ampara and Batticaloa".

With a total budget of US$5.6 million, this two-year project supports tsunami affected communities through both the rapid distribution of fishing inputs and a longer-term support to the development of sustainable fisheries based livelihoods in 14 communities in the three districts.