Monsoon Farming and Food Security in Sri Lanka MTA
Agroecological practices, climate adaptation strategies, and policy options for resilient agriculture

About this book:

*Monsoon Farming and Food Security in Sri Lanka* is a comprehensive manual designed to address the increasing unpredictability of climate variability within one of the world’s most venerable agricultural landscapes. Spanning twenty-five chapters, the book serves as a practical roadmap for agronomists, extension workers, and smallholders to transition from traditional dependence on seasonal rhythms to a resilient, "climate-smart" future. It blends ancient indigenous wisdom—such as the sophisticated tank cascade irrigation systems and traditional seed sovereignty—with modern agroecological innovations, including conservation agriculture, digital early warning systems, and index-based crop insurance.

The text provides actionable strategies for managing every stage of the agricultural lifecycle, from monsoon-driven crop calendars and soil health preservation to integrated pest management and postharvest preservation. Beyond technical solutions, the book emphasizes the human dimensions of farming, exploring community-based adaptation, gender equity, and the engagement of youth to ensure social inclusion. By bridging the gap between localized pilot projects and national policy frameworks, this book offers a holistic guide to securing food systems and rural livelihoods against the dual challenges of environmental degradation and a changing climate.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Strategies for aligning crop calendars with Sri Lanka's Wet, Intermediate, and Dry agroclimatic zones to mitigate monsoon unpredictability.
• Practical guides to soil health, rainwater harvesting, and the rehabilitation of traditional tank cascade irrigation systems.
• Techniques for climate-smart rice cultivation, including Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI).
• Frameworks for livelihood diversification through agroforestry, mixed cropping, livestock integration, and value-added postharvest processing.
• Guidance on community-based adaptation, participatory planning, and utilizing digital early warning systems for proactive risk management.

Who's It For:

This book is primarily intended for agricultural extension workers, agronomists, and community leaders in Sri Lanka who require practical, field-tested strategies for climate adaptation. It is also a valuable resource for policymakers and NGO practitioners seeking to integrate agroecological principles and traditional indigenous knowledge into national food security frameworks. Additionally, progressive smallholder farmers will find the illustrated techniques for soil conservation, water management, and crop diversification directly applicable to their daily operations.