[Sri Lanka] PW’s activities in Trincomalee are making waves!
Sri Lanka is one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. In recent years, the growing popularity of Sri Lankan curry has made the country feel more familiar to us Japanese. Today, Sri Lanka may give off a peaceful impression, but many people are still on the path to recovery from the 26-year civil war that lasted from 1983 to 2009. Their lives have become even more difficult due to the economic collapse triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in the global landscape.
At Peace Winds, we are working in Trincomalee District in eastern Sri Lanka—a region where economic recovery has been particularly delayed due to the effects of the civil war. Since August 2023, with support from JICA’s Grassroots Technical Cooperation Project, we have been conducting activities to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers through support for circular agriculture that makes use of local resources. The project was well-received in its first year in eight villages, and in the second year, we are now offering training to farmers in eight newly selected villages on how to make organic compost and keep household accounts.
Trincomalee, one of Sri Lanka’s top beach destinations. During the season, tourists from abroad come seeking its beautiful sea.
In March 2025, an organic farming expert from Hiroshima Prefecture, who had assisted in creating the recipe for organic compost, visited Trincomalee District. They provided advice to local staff and farmers. We’ll share their visit, along with the local scene and the participants’ feedback!
A commemorative photo with the organic farming expert. The local staff looks happy too.
On the first day, the organic farming expert visited the site of an organic compost-making workshop attended by local small-scale farmers. While the farmers practice small-scale agriculture, the land they cultivate is still much larger than a typical home garden in Japan. As a result, they require a significant amount of organic compost at once, and preparing this amount for the workshop made the task of mixing materials very challenging. Despite the physically demanding work, many women actively participated, showing a high level of interest.
The participants’ home gardens. The space is large enough to grow various vegetables and fruits.
Before the workshop, everyone prepares the materials for the compost. All the materials are things that are easily accessible or inexpensive and can be easily obtained.
Women actively participating in the work. Some even attended with their children.
Before the economic collapse, farmers who used to receive chemical fertilizers for free or at a low price from the government, began showing interest in organic farming after the prices of chemical fertilizers skyrocketed. Despite their interest, they didn’t know how to implement it, until they heard about Peace Winds’ activities and decided to participate in the workshop on circular farming methods. This is what Anuwaraati (61 years old) shared.
Anuwaraati (right), her husband Thirakaratuna (left), and her granddaughter (middle).
“We have been thinking about ways to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. We knew they are bad for the body, and they are also very expensive. Participating in the Peace Winds seminar and learning about circular farming methods, which I had never known before, has been very helpful and enjoyable. I can feel the effectiveness of the organic compost that Peace Winds taught us, and I have started making it myself. Since I can make compost with locally available materials, I’m happy to reduce my expenses.”
Many farmers are practicing the organic compost-making method recommended by Peace Winds, and the local staff are also feeling happy about it. The visit of the organic farming expert this time provided a great opportunity for the farmers to receive advice on improving the compost they make, deepening their understanding even further.
Peace Winds local staff receiving advice from the expert on the appropriate moisture level for organic compost, learning by feeling the texture with their hands.
After the group training session, the team visited participating farmers for individual consultations. One woman, who was having trouble getting her tomatoes to grow properly, listened intently as local staff explained how to prune excess branches. When they introduced the concept of propagation by cuttings, she exclaimed, “I had no idea you could do that!”—clearly excited to learn something new.
A woman proudly showed the cuttings she had propagated—she looked delighted, and the roots had taken well.
A woman shows great interest in tomato cuttings—here’s hoping they grow well!
What we truly felt from visiting the project sites in person was the strong interest and enthusiasm of the farmers. In Trincomalee District, many areas received aid such as supplies and well construction from various countries after the civil war and the tsunami. As a result, some people attend Peace Winds’ workshops hoping to receive materials. However, once they realize there’s nothing being handed out, they stop coming. On the other hand, the 20 or so participants who consistently attend each workshop are fully engaged, listen seriously, put what they learn into practice, and see real results.
Local Peace Winds staff shared that they feel proud to be supporting participants not with material goods, but by helping deepen their knowledge—encouraging personal growth and providing sustainable, independent support. This initiative supports the practice of eco-friendly, people- and planet-conscious circular farming methods, while building positive relationships within the community. Recently, even high-level staff from the Department of Agriculture have become involved, conducting follow-ups by visiting farmers who took the training in the first year. Peace Winds staff remain dedicated to expanding this positive cycle to involve the entire region—so that everyone can grow and thrive together!
Peace Winds’ local staff conducting the training sessions—
Supporting farmers with their agricultural knowledge.
This project is being carried out with the support of the JICA Grassroots Technical Cooperation Project. To better meet the needs of the local people, we warmly welcome your continued support.
For more details, please visit our Sri Lanka project’s Instagram page:→ https://www.instagram.com/pwj_srilanka/