Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Organic Micro-Farming: Enhancing Community Resilience in Urban Food Production in Sri Lanka
摘要
This case study and perspectives present insights into Sri Lanka, a nation facing multifaceted challenges such as poverty, climate change, and food insecurity. It stands at a crossroads in its need for sustainable development of food production systems. In the face of a growing population and the unpredictable impacts of crises, e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic, the abrupt banning of inorganic fertilizer importation and the sudden shock of the economic crisis, rethinking traditional food production systems has never been more urgent and crucial. For this purpose, re-entering the home garden concept with a micro-farming and community-based approach may provide hope in the fight against poverty and food insecurity for vulnerable communities across the island. Home gardens have only recently been recognized as a solution for improving household food security, particularly nutrient security, among vulnerable communities in specific areas, such as the urban sector in Sri Lanka. By integrating intensive organic micro-farming into home gardens and community-based home garden concepts, urban dwellers in Sri Lanka can revolutionize their approach to household food security and sustainability. These multidisciplinary endeavors should involve stakeholders ranging from policymakers to farmers and aim to establish demonstration model sites in diverse agro-ecological regions. These sites will serve as living laboratories, incubating future ideas and showcasing sustainable, climate-smart, organic and micro-farming practices prioritizing natural inputs and waste products over synthetic chemicals. Organic micro-farming holds significant potential as a pathway to resilience and prosperity for Sri Lanka’s urban communities. By integrating hands-on implementation, educational initiatives, and community outreach, this approach can transform urban food systems. Through practical application, individuals can gain valuable skills in sustainable agriculture, while educational programs provide the knowledge needed to maintain and expand these practices. Community outreach fosters collaboration and support, ensuring that the benefits of organic micro-farming are widely shared and sustained. Together, these elements create a robust framework for enhancing food security, promoting environmental sustainability, and improving the livelihoods of urban residents in Sri Lanka.