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.

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Food, Climate and Natural Resources
An analysis of rainfall patterns in Mannar suggests that the long-term average annual rainfall is decreasing and that there is an increasing incidence of drought or dry spells (Rajendram, 2019). Thus, climate change is likely to affect Mannar’s agriculture negatively. However, a small-scale survey amongst Cashew farmers in Mannar found that only 50 percent of the farmers adopted productivity-increasing practices recommended to them (Thusyanthini & Sanotharan, 2018).
"Household income and nutrition are resilient through sustainable, climate-smart practices and diversified Income"
OPEnE believes in the need to capacitate communities for this purpose with training on objectively assessing needs, seeking funds, and implementing projects. The establishment of a Seed Fund that matches the funds raised by the community will incentivize the communities in this regard.
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.

OPEnE also works with fisheries communities. The fishing communities are educated regularly on climate change, the influence of climate change on fish stocks, illegal practices, the influence of illegal practices on fish stock, alternative fishing, and various culture practices.

The use of natural resources has to be optimal to the point where they are not depleted but are used sustainably. On one hand, the resources are being over-exploited and threats of overexploitation exist. On the other hand, people are not utilizing natural resources easily available to them for economic and environmental benefit of them.

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.