Persevering through challenges

Born in the lush landscapes of Dambulla, Lakmali, now 37, grew up amidst rich heritage and agricultural traditions. She was nurtured by the warmth of her family and the rhythms of farming life. Yet, life took a harsh turn as her parents, diligent onion farmers, faced crippling debts that led to the loss of their cherished home. Despite completing her Ordinary Level education, she chose not to pursue further studies, partly due to her family's financial struggles.

"To ease our financial struggles, I went to Lebanon and worked as a housemaid. I was only 19 at the time, and for three years, I worked tirelessly to achieve my goal: to rescue my family from financial despair. And it paid off—I managed to reclaim our home and change my parents' lives for the better," Lakmali says with a lingering smile on her face.

In 2010, at 23, Lakmali embraced a new chapter in her life. She married and moved to Kithuluthuwa, Polonnaruwa.  

Seeds of hope

Kithuluthuwa's barren fields relied solely on rainwater, offering little prosperity. Sparse paddy fields were surrounded by shrubs and Kathurumurunga (Sesbania grandiflora) plants on her in-laws' plot. Her husband's family had resettled in Polonnaruwa through a government land program during the war, sustaining themselves with income from paddy farming and low-paying jobs.

Initially, Lakmali and her husband lived with his parents. Her husband, earning Rs. 12,000 monthly as a home guard without a permanent job, faced ongoing financial challenges. Her in-laws tended the paddy fields during the Maha season, and her father-in-law worked as a truck cleaner at a prominent flour mill in Trincomalee. Despite their efforts, the family struggled with a meagre income, frequently ending each month in debt. Lakmali longed for independence, but her husband's salary wasn't enough, prompting her to return to Lebanon for four more years to save for a better future.

Rising above debt

In 2015, Lakmali returned from Lebanon with savings, securing half an acre from her in-laws to build their own home. The future seemed brighter as her husband received confirmation in his home guard job, with his basic salary and additional earnings reaching Rs. 32,000.  

"By the time I returned, a new irrigation tank was constructed by the villagers - brightening our farming prospects," Lakmali recounts, recalling the community effort. "Together with my in-laws, we tilled 3.5 acres of paddy fields, sharing our income and strengthening our family bonds." She was able to transform her barren plot into a thriving garden - initially for her family’s consumption, but she soon began selling the surplus by the roadside.

Following the example of other women in the village, Lakmali set up a simple roadside stand, selling vegetables for Rs 50 per 500 grams to travellers. This small venture blossomed into a steady livelihood. For the next two to three years, her income from selling vegetables was sufficient to meet her family's needs, freeing them from debt.

Empowering transformation

In 2019, Lakmali received a beacon of support from the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, through the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) ‘Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP)’. This assistance came in the form of various plants such as pomegranate, bananas, mangoes, and coconut. Beyond the tangible plants, UNDP provided invaluable technical advice on water-efficient cropping, producing organic fertiliser, identifying crop diseases, and safeguarding against pests.

The most transformative aspect of this support was the shift in mindset it fostered among farmers like Lakmali. "We learnt how to cultivate crops year-round by relying on efficient water use. The tools provided by UNDP —buckets, organic fertilizer-making tools, and drip irrigation systems—were invaluable. They transformed our fields into flourishing gardens," she said, highlighting how the support provided has reshaped her journey.

In 2022/23, innovation transformed the farming community as small-scale farmers embraced multi-cropping. Seeds and grow bags were provided for home gardens, while commercial farmers received plants like corn, cowpeas, and peanuts. Despite her limited half-acre garden, Lakmali utilized the technical advice and resources. In 2023, she received paddy seedlings, resulting in a bountiful Maha season. This harvest brought in substantial income—about Rs 45,000 per kilogram, with a total yield of around 60 kilograms from her 3 acres, significantly better than previous years.

Nurturing growth  

Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic turmoil in Sri Lanka, vulnerable communities found themselves grappling with unprecedented difficulties. In response, in 2023, UNDP through its Funding Windows, supported by the Government of Luxembourg launched a project aimed to empower women and vulnerable groups by promoting economic self-sufficiency.

As a recipient of the project, Lakmali has experienced significant improvements to her livelihood. She received crucial support including a drip irrigation system and various fruit plants like pomegranates, oranges, and bananas. Additionally, through the Funding Windows project, she was introduced to backyard poultry farming, providing her with 20 chicks and a coop. These initiatives have not only enhanced her agricultural capabilities, but also contributed to her family's economic stability in challenging times.

"Starting with just 20 chicks, my poultry venture has been a blessing. Each day, I gather about ten eggs, which has been a great source of nutrition for my children," Lakmali shares warmly. "Now, I receive orders several times a week for 30-40 eggs, which I sell at 50 rupees each. It's heartening that our eggs are even making their way to Colombo through a school bus driver who buys 100 eggs every other day from our village."

The income from egg sales and her fruit and vegetable stall was sufficient to cover Lakmali's household expenditures. With her earnings, she purchased a tractor, enhancing her agricultural capabilities. She plans to expand her poultry production by buying 50 more chicks to increase egg sales and secure a stable financial future for her family.

Strengthening community bonds

The roadside market transformed into a bustling hub with permanent stalls, boosting daily sales to approximately Rs. 2,000 from Rs. 500. Lakmali sells mangoes, pomegranates, soursop, papaya, lime, and seasonal vegetables. With high sales days on Fridays, Saturdays, public holidays, and school breaks, attracting local officials and the military, she is also able to shield produce from the harsh sun thanks to the roadside stall, allowing them to be sold the next day. Leftover produce is distributed within the village or consumed by her family, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

The market motivates Lakmali to grow crops year-round, no longer limited to the rainy season. Besides fresh produce, she sells value-added products like curry powders, flour, ulundu (black gram), cowpea beans, and various rice varieties sourced from other districts. She earns extra income from the markup on these items, selling them on commission.

The support provided through the project, also fosters greater collaboration among communities, with the market stalls, shared among two or three farmers.  Lakmali sells fresh produce and encourages paddy farmers to offer rice, occasionally featuring commercially grown items, though not always organic.  

Envisioning a prosperous future

Her vision includes promoting good health practices through organic food and expanding to include local bee honey and mung beans. She plans to increase vegetable production with makaral (string beans), aiming for 20 kilograms weekly for her stall and local shops. Limited land poses challenges, but she plans to add cool drinks during dry seasons. Lakmali also aims to secure paddy land and additional highlands for her children's future livelihoods.

Driven by her commitment to quality and sustainability, Lakmali notes, “I hope to have my produce certified under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).” She plays a pivotal role as President of the Pubudu Gram Shakthi Society, which has grown to 40 members, predominantly women. These members benefit from the project's support and contribute Rs. 5 daily to the society fund, pooling resources for collective growth and development initiatives. She continues, “Thanks to UNDP Funding Windows' support, the society has received crucial promotional materials for the roadside market. This has helped us attract more customers.” Lakmali also leads efforts in organizing awareness campaigns and training programs within the community focusing on promoting organic farming practices.  

Her journey from the barren fields of Kithuluthuwa to a thriving agricultural enterprise showcases the profound impact of empowering women farmers. The interventions that lifted Lakmali have not only improved her life, but also enriched her community, fostering resilience and hope for a sustainable future.