The concept of the Family Business Garden (FBG)

1. The concept of the Family Business Garden (FBG) Thilak T. Ranasinghe B.Sc. (Agric) Hon., M.Sc., Ph.D. E-Mail :-thithura@sltnet.lk An Urban–Rural Agricultural Continuum in Sri Lanka

2. In the field of Urban Agriculture (UA) The Concept of the Family Business Garden (FBG) was introduced on the World Environment Day - 5th June 2000 in Sri Lanka

3. Aimsof the Concept of the FBG To convert aspect of gardening into theoretically based sustainable agri-business concept. To address some poverty issues in generating additionalincome for food security. To work with better-mix of modern science and indigenous technical know-how (ITK). To make contributions for attempts to improve socio-economic-health- environment aspects of urban communities. To visualize adoptable production systems to new generation of agricultural producers /entrepreneurs.

4. Expectations of the FBG Scope - not only family nutrition but also additional income source Approach - a process not content, there is no fixed model, it is flexible. System - technology development rather than technology transfer. Means - as commercial agriculture or environment agriculture or both End - physical as well as mental satisfaction in agro entrepreneurship.

5. Characters of the FBGFlower (Brand) Item Face ValueCore Value 1. Main Petal/ Circle & centre Nutrition centered / receptacle good dietary habits 2. Other petals Different in size Scales of interventions & shape could be different 3. Petal fixation Uneven distance Interests are different from one to one 4. Petals + stalk Detached No fixed model 5. Stalk/s Dual-curved stalk Elasticity in approach 6. Why a flower Attractive & simple From Child to Elderly & use of Creativity

6. CONTINUUM ReuseContexts WISDOM StorePrinciples KNOWLEDGE Sort Patterns INFORMATION CaptureRelations DATA Overall Strategy of the Concept :- Knowledge Management Process: Family BusinessGarden[FBG]

7. Components / Strategies of the FBG i. Family Nutritionii. Technology Adoption iii. Crop Management iv. Post-Harvest Technology & Value Addition v. Landscaping & Housekeeping ENVIRONMENTAL / COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

8. i. Family Nutrition • Go for “ Vertical Cultivation Structures” in • maximizing Low/No-Spaces of homesteads • Select Nutritional & Favorite Crops / Livestock (Vegetables,Fruits,Flowers,Yams,Spices,Herbs) (Chicken, Quails, Turkey, Rabbit, Fish) • Place priority for simplicity and creativity

9. Low/No Space Agricultural Techniques CULTIVATION STRUCTURES Cultivation Towers Cultivation Bags (Hanging & Standing) Cultivation Bottles Cultivation Racks Cultivation Frame Cultivation Ladder Cultivation Net Cultivation Umbrella Cultivation Tat Cultivation Arch Cultivation Pyramid Cultivation Fence Cultivation Antenna

10. Cultivation Cage Cultivation Tripod Cultivation Bangle Cultivation Canoe Cultivation Key Cultivation Lantern Cultivation Holder Portable Cultivation Tower Cultivation Twigs Cultivation Envelope Cultivation Shells l

11. Cultivation Trolley Edible Air-scape Cultivation Cradle This component helps to improve dietary habits

12. ii .Technology Adoption • Consider available Members & Money • Select recommended / new crops / • livestock / systems • Prepare for future market forces • and get ready to work in groups/networks

13. Bottle Irrigation Simple Drips Rain Water Harvesting Water-Wise Gardening This component promotes diversity in creativity

14. iii . Crop Management • Management of Soil / Water / Pests / • Light or Shade / Waste • Recycling of plant Nutrients • Integrated Pest Management / • Integrated farming Practices

15. Application of different crop and livestock management systems

16. This component helps to upkeep physical fitness

17. iv. Post-Harvest Technology & Value Addition • Concern of quality than quantity • Produce & product diversification to match consumer demands • Concentration of marketing standards / • regulations / Laws /Acts

18. Micro-agro entrepreneurship development for additional income

19. This component injects diversity for sustainability

20. v. Landscaping & House Keeping • Consider physical as well as mental health promotion along with edible Land / • Air-scaping & home management principles • Application of gender equality / women • issues into micro agro-entrepreneurship • Think of future : go for the development of • “Business Plans” in FBG entrepreneurship

21. Edible gardening from front to back of the homestead in an organized manner

22. This component upkeeps the mental fitness

23. Impact of the FBG UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

24. MIDLE-CLASS COMMUNITIES SCHOOLING & NON-SCHOOLING YOUTH

25. National Goal contributions (i.e., Urban Green Chili production) & International participation

26. Concept applications by the Private Sector at National & International Contexts

27. The Sri Lankan National Policy for Urban Agriculture after FBG initiatives • Statement -29 (2003) • Implement a special urban agriculture promotion • program designed to ensure supply of home • consumption needs and environmental protection. * • Statement -17 (2007) • 17.1 Promote home-gardening and urban agriculture • to enhance household nutrition and income • 17.2 Promote women’s participation in home-gardening.

28. Government Programme for Promotion of Home Gardening - 2007(Let us Cultivate to Uplift the Nation) • 1. Rural & urban home-gardens • 2. School gardens • 3. Home-gardens of school children • 4. Gardens & model farms in office premises • 5.Gardens in security forces camps • 6. Private home-gardens of state officials • 7. Gardens in office premises of the private- institutions • 8. Home-gardens of public representatives

29. Urban – Rural Continuum

30. How FBG is friendly with Rural Folks • To enjoy on water conservation adaptations so as to cultivate with intensive management under resource poor conditions • To cultivate in the dry season (i.e., Yala) in order to continue income generation & food security for better livelihoods • To escape from stray and/or wild animal damages with minimal protection measures • To raise the levels of fruit and vegetable cultivations among the rural populations in minimizing nutritional drawbacks • To reduce rural-urban migration of youth while practicing low labour agricultural production systems.

31. Sub-urban situations close to Municipalities

32. Sub-urban situations away from Municipalities

33. CULTIVATION STRUCTURES DEVELOPED TODATE under Low/No Space Agricultural Techniques through the Knowledge Management process of the Concept of the FBG Cultivation structures mainly developed for land-space utilization 1) Cultivation Tower 2) Cultivation Pyramid 3) Cultivation Frame 4) Cultivation Wall 5) Cultivation Arch 6) Cultivation Bangle 7) Cultivation Mat 8) Cultivation Umbrella 9) Cultivation Cage 10) Cultivation Consortium 11) Cultivation Envelope 12) Cultivation Spool Cultivation structures mainly developed for building-space utilization 1) Cultivation Tat 2) Cultivation Ladder 3) Cultivation Rack 4) Cultivation Tripod 5) Cultivation Net 6) Cultivation Trolley 7) Cultivation Cradle 8) Cultivation Holder 9) Cultivation Bag (Standing) 10) Cultivation Shell 11) Cultivation Twig 12) Portable Cultivation Tower Cultivation structures mainly developed for air-space utilization 1) Cultivation Bottle 2) Cultivation Lantern 3) Cultivation Antenna 4) Cultivation Bag (Hanging) 5) Cultivation Key 6) Cultivation String 7) Cultivation Tube 8) Cultivation Plaster 9) Edible Air-scape

34. Inventor & Facilitator of the Concept of the FBG Dr. Thilak T. Ranasinghe Consultant / Advisor Urban Agriculture / Rural Livelihoods [Former Director of Agriculture (Western Province, Sri Lanka) :1991-2007] (Retired Class I Officer of the Sri Lanka Agriculture Service) 18, Senanayake Road, Issadeen Town, Matara, SRI LANKA Tel:- +94 774 907 047, +94 412 222 462 E-Mail:- thithura@sltnet.lk 15th November, 2008