Agriculture has always been an essential part of Sri Lanka’s economy, especially in rural areas. However, for young people in these areas, becoming an entrepreneur in agriculture can be a challenge due to a lack of access to financial resources and technological knowledge. This is where SAPP (Smallholder Agribusiness Partnership Programme) comes in to support and encourage youth to become entrepreneurs. Through SAPP, over 2,500 young entrepreneurs have been registered in youth projects, and the programme has provided startup financing for business plans, averaging USD 1000 in the form of start-up funds and credit facility up to Rs. 2 Million. For those with higher-value projects, SAPP considers funding requirements through 4P partners to ensure the success and sustainability of the project. One inspiring example of a young entrepreneur who has benefited from SAPP’s support is Mrs. Pradeepa Sanjeewani. With the help of SAPP, she challenged traditional gender stereotypes by empowering herself through strengthening financial capacity and decision-making skills. Today, she runs her own greenhouse farm and encourages other young people to adopt innovative farming methods. Mrs. Sanjeewani shared her experience, saying, “Earlier, I didn’t know about greenhouse farming methods & technology, and I used to stay at home and depend on my parents. In our patriarchal society, women are not seen as breadwinners for the family. Even if we start a business, we don’t know how to run it due to a lack of technological knowledge. But after SAPP’s intervention, I gained technological know-how and more knowledge to build my own financial capacity through greenhouse crops.” SAPP has identified major challenges for women in rural areas and has taken steps to empower them. In order to create sustainable agriculture and business, SAPP has identified labor-saving technology for women and girls in rural areas. As a result, most of the young female entrepreneurs in the Welimada area are practicing innovative technology for their crops.

Hiruni, a 20-year-old girl from Abagasdowa,a small village in Sri Lanka, had always been interested in agriculture, but her parents wanted her to study commerce in school. After completing her Advanced Levels in commerce, Hiruni decided to pursue her passion for agriculture and started looking for opportunities in the field. That’s when she heard about the Small holder Agribusiness Partnership Programme (SAPP) and the Green Veg Exports Greenhouse Cultivation Youth Project. Hiruni was intrigued and decided to apply for the program. “As a girl and youth entrepreneur, I will be able to increase my income as well as my household income with the support of the SAPP program. Additionally, I aim to inspire young people in my village to persue a career in agriculture and start their own business.” – Hiruni Madhubhashini After going through a farmer-friendly selection process, Hiruni was selected to be a part of the program. She was provided with training in greenhouse cultivation, maintenance, and marketing. Hiruni was also given access to modern farming equipment, seeds, and fertilizers. With the support of SAPP and the Green Veg Exports Greenhouse Cultivation Youth Project, Hiruni started her own greenhouse cultivation business. She started growing bell peppers as the first crop.

The story of Mr. Janaka Manjula, a successful greenhouse farmer in Uva Paranagama, Sri Lanka, is a testament to the benefits of good time management in agriculture. With the help of the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnership programme (SAPP), Mr. Janaka has learned valuable lessons in managing his time and resources, which have contributed to his success. “It was because of the partnership built by the SAPP with public and private institutes that I was able to do everything from greenhouse construction to harvesting quickly and successfully. – Mr.Janaka Manjula” Uva Paranagama is a small village in the Badulla district of Sri Lanka, known for its fertile soil and lush green fields. Agriculture is the primary source of income for the villagers, and in recent years, the use of modern farming techniques and new technologies has led to significant growth in the agriculture sector. Mr. Janaka’s journey as a greenhouse farmer began as a novice, struggling to manage his time and resources effectively. One of Mr. Janaka’s biggest challenges was managing the various tasks involved in greenhouse farming. With so many activities to take care of, such as land preparation, construction, planting, watering, fertilizing, pest control, harvesting, packaging, and marketing, he often felt overwhelmed. However, with the help of SAPP, Mr. Janaka learned to prioritize his tasks and create a schedule that allowed him to work efficiently.

Investing in the youth is crucial for the future of agriculture. Sri Lanka, being an agrarian nation with a rich history of agriculture dating back over 2500 years, has seen the sector contribute significantly to the country’s GDP and poverty reduction efforts. However, one of the major challenges faced by the agricultural and agribusiness sector in Sri Lanka has been the low participation of youth, compounded by COVID-19 restrictions since March 2020.

Fortunately, the SAPP youth grant program has stepped in to fill this gap and create partnerships with public and private financial institutions, as well as with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Sri Lankan government. This has provided greater access for youth in rural areas to achieve sustainable income.

Previously, many youth faced difficulties accessing financial support due to unstable income sources and lack of knowledge. However, with the SAPP initiative, they were able to learn how to apply for loan facilities with minimal interest rates from recognized banks in Sri Lanka. With the reasonable interest rates, they were able to scale up production, receive technological support, and gain market access. This has been a huge opportunity for youth to sustain their farming and business, as well as increase their profits.

Shiromee Damayanthi was a hardworking woman who had been working in a garment factory for many years to support her family. However, her husband’s passion for farming and rearing buffalos always intrigued her. They had a small piece of land, but they didn’t have the resources to invest in their farm. “From a daily wage worker at a garment factory to a successful agri-business owner, the SAPP program has given me the opportunity to turn my dreams into reality and create a better future for myself and my family.” – Shiromee Damayanthi One day, while attending a SAPP awareness program, Shiromee learned about the opportunities and support available to small scale farmers through the program. She realized that this could be her chance to turn her family’s fortunes around. With the help of SAPP, Shiromee was selected to benefit from the smallholder agribusiness partnership program. She was provided with a credit facility of 1000000 to start her agribusiness. With the financial assistance and guidance provided by SAPP, Shiromee was able to resign from her job at the garment factory and start her own business. She decided to focus on curd production and branded her products under the name “Amaya .”