US envoy honours dry zone farmers

US Ambassador Robert O Blake commended World Vision for their vision in undertaking a sustainable agriculture project and making a real effort to reach out to over 6,000 poorest of the poor farmers from all regions of Sri Lanka including Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims.

Blake said the US Government was closely working with the private sector and NGO sector. Private sector has the indigence while elimination of the middle man is one of the major milestones achieved by the NGO sector, he said.

"However INGO and NGOs come under very unjustifiable attacks in Sri Lanka and this is an example of the excellent work they are doing," he said.

Seventy farmers representing thousands of farmers throughout the dry zone was honoured yesterday at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute for their achievement in implementing an integrated farming model introduced by World Vision Lanka's agriculture project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.

"This is one of the best instances where World Vision worked closely with Government, private sector and communities", World Vision National Director Yu Hwa Li said.

The project managed to create positive transformation among the farmers. USDA project is also complying with the " Api Wawemu-Rata Nagamu programme initiated by the Government, Li said.

The farmers were honoured with certificates of recognition for winning "best farm" competition within their specific regions. The winners were chosen by their peers, the World Vision USDA project team and Department of Agriculture extension officers.

One of the best farmers, K.A. Podimenika from Mahakubukkadawela said it gives him immense satisfaction and pleasure when he sees the farm in his backyard.

"World Vision under the USDA project has provided me with so many things from technical knowledge to farming equipment. They have given me a milking cow. Thanks to World Vision, I'm not scared to face the future."

"These 70 farmers represent a much larger group of farmers who have made amazing advances in restoring their personal plots of land into beautiful, sustainable gardens," Project director Scott Lout said. "We congratulate them as they have clearly set an example for farmers currently enrolled in the second phase of this project."