Drive rural diversification to help Sri Lankan farmers adapt to climate change

Policy Brief 101-16

To help farmers in Sri Lanka cope with the impact of climate change, policies should be put in place that will make it easier for rural households to diversify their income and find off-farm work. Climate change policies should take into account the fact that predicted changes in rainfall and temperatures will affect different regions and agricultural sectors in different ways. Such an approach is vital to ensure that the livelihoods of rural farmers remain sustainable, as it is clear that climate change will have a negative impact on many agricultural sectors in Sri Lanka, reducing potential incomes in some by up to 100%.