Together as Humans 8.0 – Phase 02

Suhuru Saru Keth (සුහුරු සරු කෙත්): Empowering Farmers Through Digital Literacy

 

Together as Humans 8.0 – Phase 02

As part of the ongoing Together as Humans 8.0 initiative, Leo Club of University of Colombo successfully conducted the second phase of the project under the theme “Suhuru Saru Keth.” This phase focused on bridging the digital divide among elderly farmers by enhancing their technological awareness and skills in agriculture.

Organised in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture – North Central Province, this initiative aimed to empower farmers by introducing them to modern digital tools that can support and improve their agricultural livelihoods. With the increasing availability of agricultural mobile applications and web-based platforms, digital literacy has become an essential skill for farmers to access timely information, market updates, and technical guidance.

 

Objective of the Initiative

The primary objective of this phase was to improve the digital literacy of elderly farmers. Many of them possess extensive practical knowledge in agriculture but have limited exposure to modern technology. Recognizing this gap, the program was designed to provide hands-on guidance on using smartphones and digital platforms relevant to their daily farming activities.

 

Implementation at the Grassroots Level

This phase was conducted in collaboration with the HLD 8 Farmers’ Society located in Nachchaduwa 7 Ela. A total of 53 farmers actively participated in the session, demonstrating strong enthusiasm to learn and adapt to new technologies.

The session was structured to be highly practical and accessible. Participants were guided step-by-step on:

● Installing relevant agricultural mobile applications,

● Navigating websites related to farming, and

● Understanding how digital tools can support their livelihoods.

To further support learning, leaflets and booklets published by the Department of Agriculture were distributed among participants. These materials provided simple explanations of digital tools and served as a reference for future use.

 

Collaborative Effort

The success of this initiative was made possible through the collective efforts of multiple stakeholders. The session was enriched by the presence of:

● Officers from the Department of Agriculture (North Central Province),

● The Agrarian Officer from the Headquarters of Shrawasthipura,

● IT Section officers of the Department of Agriculture,

● The local coordinator serving as the Digital Assistant in the Nachchaduwa Hindogama Wasama, and

● Leos of Leo Club of University of Colombo.

Their combined expertise ensured that the session was both informative and practical, catering effectively to the needs of the participants.

 

Ensuring Sustainable Impact

In order to promote continuous learning and practical engagement, a tablet device was donated to the farming community. This device enables farmers to explore and practice using digital applications introduced during the session.

Importantly, the progress of this initiative does not end with the session. The Department of Agriculture will monitor the usage of the tablet on a monthly basis, evaluating how effectively farmers are utilizing digital tools and ensuring ongoing guidance where needed. This follow-up mechanism ensures that the knowledge shared translates into real, long-term benefits.

 

Conclusion

“Suhuru Saru Keth” stands as a meaningful step toward integrating technology with traditional farming practices. By equipping farmers with digital skills, this initiative not only enhances their access to information but also strengthens their capacity to make informed decisions in their agricultural activities.

Leo Club of University of Colombo, through Together as Humans 8.0, continues to demonstrate how youth-led initiatives can create sustainable and impactful change within communities, proving that when humanity and innovation come together, progress follows.

 

Penned by Leo Tharushi Nethmini.