# Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships

Cultivating Success: Effective Time Management in Greenhouse Farming

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.
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By identifying critical activities, such as preparing the growing media and plant nurseries during greenhouse construction, which typically takes usual farmers 21-25 days for growing media preparation and 21 days for plant nurseries, Mr. Janaka was able to get his harvest 25 days earlier than usual after the construction of greenhouses. This allowed him to earn a revenue of Rs.514850.00 with a net profit of Rs.462610.00 during the first month of harvesting from the new greenhouses, which were constructed using the Rs.2 million credit facility provided by SAPP. Additionally, he invested in a drip irrigation system, which helped him save time and reduce the risks. With the implementation of these strategies, Mr. Janaka was able to efficiently manage his time and successfully expand his business by increasing the cultivation extent to 5000 square feet of greenhouses. He also hired a permanent employee for greenhouse maintenance, which allowed him to focus on other aspects of his business. He is now a role model for aspiring greenhouse farmers in Uva Paranagama, proving that with good time management, success in agriculture is achievable. With SAPP’s support, there is hope for the next generation of sustainable agricultural value chain leaders. Investing in the youth is the key to ensuring the future of agriculture in Sri Lanka. With the right support and resources, small holder agropreneurs like her can transform their lives and create a better future for themselves and their families.