Strengthening Climate-Smart Farmer Leadership for National Food Security

Climate variability increasingly threatens the sustainability of smallholder farming systems in Sri Lanka. This longitudinal study evaluates the empowerment of farmer organizations (FOs) in strengthening climate-smart food security farmer leadership in Angunakolapelessa (Hambantota District, Dry Zone) and Kegalle (Wet/Intermediate Zone) Divisional Secretariat Divisions. Conducted over six years2017–2023), the research involved 240 smallholder farmers (average landholding of 1.5 acres). Using a participatory assessments, structured scorecards, and harvest measurements, the evaluation examined institutional strengthening, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption, and food security outcomes. Results indicate that empowered FOs significantly enhanced adaptive capacity, crop productivity, participatory governance, and gender-inclusive leadership. The findings highlight the critical role of grassroots institutions in building resilient food systems under changing climatic conditions.