Sustainably manage
Resources
Food production is one of the most essential to ensure nutrition for the children at low costs. A climate-smart food production using the existing natural resources sustainably can lead to economic empowerment and the physical well-being of households.
OPEnE started motivating people on organic and climate-smart agriculture, both in paddy fields and in the home and kitchen gardens. We have been successful in making people adapt to modern and sustainable practices, but the sustainability of those initiatives has been challenging. People are vulnerable to turning back to easy, chemical, and destructive practices in agriculture.
We are expanding our food production program to support farmers across the Mannar and Kilinochchi districts, focusing on women groundnut farmers as well as other field crops.
OPEnE also works with fisheries communities. We educate the fishing communities on the impacts of climate change and harmful and illegal practices on fish stocks, and alternative fishing methods.
The use of natural resources has to be optimal to the point where resources are not depleted but used sustainably. On one hand, the resources are being overexploited and are at risk of further overexploitation. On the other hand, people are not utilizing natural resources easily available to them for their economic and environmental benefit.
OPEnE conducts discussions and training for the local people to come to positive conclusions on future actions through a participatory decision-making process.
We understand that changing the traditional practices and the minds of people who are not familiar with "sustainable resource management" concepts is very challenging; but as it is the need of the century, we insist and are dedicated to creating a community that is aware, cares for and practices sustainable resource management practices to ensure food security and to face climate risks.
