John Keells Foundation interaction with Morawewa farmers
View(s):John Keells Foundation (JKF) recently organized a “Govi Hamuwa” for the benefit of farmer organizations of the Morawewa DS Division in collaboration with Morawewa Irrigation Project Management Office (Morawewa Major Irrigation Projects) and World Vision Lanka.
A farmer discusses an issue
This initiative was organised under the village adoption project of Livelihood Development focus area with the aim of poverty alleviation at village level through sustainable and integrated development programmes for all communities, planned and implemented in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, JKF said in a media release.
JKF, the corporate social responsibility entity of the John Keells Group has been working in Morawewa North in collaboration with World Vision Lanka supporting the lives and livelihoods of the villagers since 2014.
Addressing the gathering and explaining the objective of the session, Charitha Subasinghe, Retail Sector Head and CEO of Jaykay Marketing Services (Pvt) Ltd of John Keells Group and Project Champion of Village Adoption Project noted that, “since the area is known for water scarcity – Govi Hamuwa, was organized to introduce cash crops which require less water for cultivation as well as to facilitate market linkages with potential buyers. We hope to uplift their livelihoods and empower them to build and develop themselves and their communities in a sustainable and entrepreneurial manner.”
The Govi Hamuwa was attended by 72 farmers from 11 farmer organizations. The forum concluded with a panel discussion that discussed various aspects of cultivation including fruit and vegetable cultivation, maize cultivation, groundnut cultivation and quality standards of post harvesting providing the farmers with valuable insights and information, the release added.