More than 80% of Hambantota district’s population directly or indirectly rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Therefore, their opportunity for socio-economic development is dependent on the advancements made in the agriculture sector.

Unfortunately, agriculture in Hambantota is characterized by low input rain-fed farming, low productivity, and limited access to markets and services from the government and private sector institutions. "My main source of income is banana cultivation. The post harvest losses and the low price received in the market reduces my income", explained R. Gunawathi, Secretary of the Dilanthuru Farmer Organization.

In an effort to assist farmers like Gunawathi, Oxfam GB has implemented several projects over the last three years. One of the more recent initiatives was to facilitate the formation of a Market Garden Multiple Stakeholder Steering Committee, consisting of representatives of the producer organizations, government, business partners, local and international NGOs & donors.

Since its establishment in 2008, the committee has been successful in identifying key constraints, and has begun taking affirmative steps to bring about sustainable solutions.

To ensure farmers have access to the needed quantity of quality seeds at a reasonable price, the steering committee is networking with companies such as Plenty Foods, Onesh, Silvermill and CR Exporter to train and distribute quality seeds to farmers. This is being done with the support of People’s Bank, Lanka Putra Bank and Bank of Ceylon, who are providing the necessary financial services.

"The committee was successful in securing 29 acres of government land, which is to be used as a collective farm by 29 farmers", explained, K. G. Ajith Priyantha from Youth Enterprise Information Centre. He further went on to explain how the committee is working to secure the licenses for these farmers.

In collaboration with relevant authorities such as Land Commission, Divisional Secretariat and Department of Agriculture, mobile service programs have been launched to speed up the provision of licenses and deeds. Already, through the programme, 168 farmers have been issued deeds, and 200 farmers received permits.

In an effort to diffuse the crisis faced by farmers during times of drought, the committee advocated that the government support the practice of a supplementary income. "We were successful in receiving 30 acres of government land, which we are now using to build a livestock village", explained Ajith Weerasinghe, Programme Officer Oxfam GB, Hambantota.