Project Details

  • Current status of the project:                     Ongoing
  • Project funded by:                                 IKI Small Grants
  • Project started on:                                2025
  • Project completion:                                2026

Background & Importance

Banana cultivation in Sri Lanka generates significant amounts of pseudo-stem waste and this waste contributes to methane and CO₂ emissions. In alignment with national climate goals and the circular economy agenda, this project offers an innovative solution: converting banana pseudo‑stem waste into fiber products and organic fertilizer, while fostering rural livelihoods.

Project Objectives

  • Reduce GHG emissions via value recovery from biomass
  • Strengthen rural livelihoods through eco-enterprise and capacity building
  • Promote green innovation in agricultural waste utilization
  • Create a replicable model for wider adoption

Project Components

  • Baseline Assessment & Site Setup
    • Identify pilot communities and conduct baseline assessments on waste volumes and GHG emissions in Embilipitiya
    • Establish a community-operated fiber extraction and composting unit
  • Community Training & Empowerment
    • Train local participants—including women and vulnerable groups—in fiber extraction, composting, and safe production practices
  • Product Innovation & Marketing
    • Develop eco-friendly banana fiber products
    • Facilitate market linkages and promote products through national exhibitions and sustainable supply chains
  • Monitoring & Documentation
    • Measure project impact including GHG reductions, biomass converted, and income generation
    • Develop and disseminate a “Pilot-to-Scale Framework” for wider replication
  • Institutional & Policy Engagement
    • Form a multi-stakeholder Project Steering Committee with representation from key ministries and agencies
    • Collaborate with government and industry stakeholders to support upscaling
  NCPC Sri Lanka is happy to receive comments or suggestions regarding the project. Please do not hesitate to contact the Project Manager, Eng. Samantha Kumarasena (samanthakumarasena@gmail.com) or the Project Coordinator, Ms. Sanduni Thudugala (sanduni.ncpc@gmail.com).