By: Staff Writer
October 24, Colombo (LNW): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Ministries of Environment of India and Sri Lanka, has launched a program aimed at improving the food security and livelihoods of farming communities in both nations.
The initiative, known as the Adaptation for Resilience (ADAPT4R) project, spans five years and focuses on enhancing the resilience of farmers facing climate-related challenges.
Funded by a US$ 14 million contribution from the Adaptation Fund, the project targets districts in both India and Sri Lanka where agriculture and rural livelihoods are most affected by adverse weather conditions.
ADAPT4R will empower farmers, particularly women, by providing climate services and utilizing existing systems to make their farming practices more resilient to climate change.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of India and the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation, and Community Infrastructure of Sri Lanka will work together with WFP to implement this initiative.
According to Ms. Rajasree Ray, Economic Advisor at MoEFCC, India, the country is particularly vulnerable to climate events, ranking among the top 10 globally, as per the Global Climate Risk Index (2021). She emphasized that this partnership would help smallholder farmers in dryland regions of India build adaptive capacities to face climate risks.
Mrs. W.G. Kumaragama, Additional Secretary for Environment Projects & Education Training in Sri Lanka, noted that the ADAPT4R project is a significant step in the collaborative efforts between Sri Lanka and WFP. She highlighted the importance of cross-border learning between India and Sri Lanka to help at-risk communities build climate resilience.
The launch event featured a regional inception meeting, where government officials and experts from both countries discussed implementation strategies. Ms. Elisabeth Faure, Country Director for WFP in India, explained that the project will empower economically disadvantaged farming households to adopt localized adaptation strategies, diversify their livelihoods, and employ climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Gerard Rebello, WFP Sri Lanka’s Deputy Country Director, stressed the importance of preparing vulnerable communities for unpredictable weather, noting that boosting resilience will not only protect lives and livelihoods but also ensure the continuity of food systems amidst the impacts of climate change.
