• monlar@sltnet.lk
Any questions ?

Phone +94 112 870 369

Notice: Test mode is enabled. While in test mode no live donations are processed.

$ 0
Select Payment Method

About Us

  • A quarter century for a better world!

Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform

Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) was formed as a network of farmer organizations, NGOs and people’s organizations in other sectors at the beginning of 1990, in response to the serious socio-political and economic crisis that emerged in Sri Lanka at the end of 1980s.

Over the last quarter century, MONLAR encompasses a diverse range of social, political, and grassroots efforts aimed at addressing issues related to land ownership, distribution, and agricultural practices. The movement seeks to promote more equitable and sustainable land and agricultural systems, ensuring that land resources are used in ways that benefit local communities, small-scale farmers, and the environment.​

Vision

A just society ensuring the existence of nature and all forms of lives

Mission

Cooperating towards building and strengthening a peoples' movement for lobby to implement promising policies that ensure the protection of human rights and natural resources by convincing the people about the threats of neo-liberal economic policies and mobilizing small farmers and marginalized communities, who have become victims of those polices, in collaboration with other progressive groups

Key Objectives and Focus Areas

3

Regenerative Agriculture and Agroecology

The movement promotes sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize ecological balance, biodiversity conservation, and the well-being of farmers and rural communities. It advocates for the adoption of agroecological approaches, organic farming methods, and regenerative practices that eradicate reliance on chemical inputs, protect soil health, and promote resilient and diverse farming systems.

5

Social Justice and Equity

MONLAR recognizes the social and economic dimensions of natural resources (Lands, seeds, water etc.) and agricultural issues. It aims to address inequalities and promote social justice by advocating for fair labor practices, gender equality in natural resource rights, improved living conditions for rural communities, and inclusive decision-making processes that involve marginalized groups including plantation and first nation indigenous communities.

7

Advocacy and Mobilization

The movement involves grassroots organizations, farmer unions, civil society groups, and activists who engage in advocacy, mobilization, and awareness-raising efforts. They work to raise public awareness about natural resources and agricultural issues, lobby for policy changes, and challenge unjust practices and policies through peaceful demonstrations, campaigns, and collective action.

1

Land Redistribution and Tenure Rights

The movement advocates for policies and practices that address the concentration of land ownership and promote equitable land distribution. It seeks to ensure that marginalized and landless communities have access to land, secure land tenure rights, and are protected from land grabbing and forced displacement.

2

Agrarian Reform

Agrarian reform initiatives within the movement aim to transform agricultural systems and promote social justice. This involves campaigning to forming, reforming and implementing policies that distribute and redistribute land to small-scale farmers, ensure natural resource rights and providing necessary resources, such as technical assistance, and knowledge, to enable smallholders to engage in productive and sustainable agriculture.

4

Food Sovereignty

The movement aligns with the principles of food sovereignty, emphasizing the rights of individuals, communities, and countries to control their own food systems. It seeks to challenge corporate control over agriculture, support local food production, distribution and consumption through the promotion of producer cooperatives, and prioritize the well-being of small-scale farmers and consumers in shaping agricultural and food policies.

6

Environmental Sustainability

MONLAR recognizes the social and economic dimensions of natural resources (Lands, seeds, water etc.) and agricultural issues. It aims to address inequalities and promote social justice by advocating for fair labor practices, gender equality in natural resource rights, improved living conditions for rural communities, and inclusive decision-making processes that involve marginalized groups including plantation and first nation indigenous communities.

MONLAR is driven by the goal of transforming agricultural systems, addressing social and environmental challenges, and promoting more just, sustainable, and resilient natural resource and food systems. It recognizes the interconnectedness of land, agriculture, and socio-economic well-being and seeks to create positive change at local, national, and global levels.

Working Strategy

Provincial Peoples’ Planning Forum (PPF) is a platform where representatives from different provinces come together to discuss, plan and implement various aspects of development, policies, and initiatives that affect the well-being of the people in their respective provinces (MONLAR has initiated PPFs in 8 provinces out of 9 provinces of Sri Lanka).