Sustainability Assessment of Agriculture Projects Implemented by Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Agriculture is the important backbone of the Sri Lankan economy, with about 82% of the population deriving their livelihood from it. Realizing this, the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries has implemented several projects during recent years to enhance productivity, sustainability, and climate resilience in agriculture. However, several questions still exist over the longer-term sustainability of these interventions. Based on the perspectives discussed, this study assesses the sustainability of chosen agricultural projects based on a multidimensional framework that covers the three dimensions: environmental, economic, and social. These include the key initiatives such as the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project, the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships Program, and the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project. The study used a qualitative approach, in which semistructured interviews among 40 stakeholders-comprising farmers, project managers, agricultural officers, and policy makers-were conducted along with secondary data obtained from project reports and project evaluations. Key findings reveal remarkable successes, including increased water-use efficiency, better market access for smallholders, and increased crop yields due to mechanization supported by high-yielding varieties. However, despite these challenges, access to advanced technology is still limited, training remains insufficient, installation costs are high, and payments along supply chains take too long. In addition, environmental considerations would include the sustainability of irrigation systems and soil fertility. This study gives recommendations that can be taken to fill the existing knowledge gap in sustainability analyses of agricultural projects. These include developing community-based maintenance systems, increasing financial incentives related to subsidy and soft loans, and widening stakeholder training. These will help ensure long-term sustainability of such agricultural projects for Sri Lanka's food security, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience. This integration of environmental, economic, and social perspectives shall therefore provide an overall evaluation framework and priceless policy implications to support sustainable agricultural development in Sri Lanka