The Completed Farmer-Level Database of the CSIAP Officially Handed Over

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) marked a significant milestone today (18th) with the official handing over of the completed farmer-level database to the Project Management Unit (PMU). The database, accompanied by a comprehensive user manual, consolidates detailed information on beneficiary farmers across the project areas and is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening planning, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making.

Following the handover, the hired IT Professional and system developer, Mr. Sanjay Jayakumar, commenced a two-day technical workshop aimed at equipping project officers with practical skills for effectively using the new system. The sessions are designed to provide hands-on experience in navigating the database, updating and uploading additional data, identifying data gaps, and troubleshooting operational issues. The workshop is conducted under the guidance and patronage of Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director, CSIAP.

During the database development and implementation stage, the Monitoring and Implementation Officers of the CSIAP, led by Mr. G. A. M. D. Gunarathne, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, played a key role in entering and validating field-level data. Their contribution ensured the accuracy and completeness of the system. Additionally, Mr. Jagath Senevirathne, Monitoring & Evaluation Consultant, World Bank, provided technical assistance for designing and refining the database structure, ensuring alignment with the project's monitoring and reporting needs. Monitoring and Implementation Officers representing all six CSIAP provinces are participating in the workshop, highlighting the project's commitment to building capacity and ensuring uniform, efficient use of the system across eleven districts of six provinces.

Story by Asoka Koralage, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, PMU-CSIAP
Photographs by Gayani Dassanayake, PMU-CSIAP

Strengthening Financial Skills: CSIAP Trains Project Accountants on BUSY Software

A one-day workshop on the BUSY Accounting Software commenced today (18th) at the Project Management Unit (PMU) with the participation of Project Accountants of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The session aimed to strengthen the financial management capacity of the project’s accounting teams through practical exposure to the widely used BUSY accounting platform. The workshop was conducted by Mr. Dinuka Jayawardena, IT Executive of Soft Vision Technologies (Pvt) Ltd, who guided participants through a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience. 

The training covered key operational areas of the BUSY Accounting Software, including payment processing, journal entries, receipt management, bank reconciliation, and monitoring of outstanding balances. Participants had the opportunity to practice each module, ensuring they gain the necessary confidence to implement the system effectively in their respective offices.

Accountants representing the Provincial Deputy Project Directors’ Offices of the CSIAP attended the workshop, making it a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and strengthening uniform financial practices across the project’s provincial operations. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director and supervision of Mr. W.G.N. Abeywickrama, Financial Management Specialist of the CSIAP, whose oversight ensured the relevance and quality of the training delivered.

Story by: J.K. Prashantha, Finance Officer, PMU-CSIAP
Photograph by: Gayani Dassanayake, PMU–CSIAP

The CSIAP Blog Reaches 125,000 Global Readership Milestone Today

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) proudly announces a remarkable achievement — its official blog, https://csiaplk.blogspot.com, has reached an impressive 125,000 readership, according to Google Analytics. Launched in November 2019, the CSIAP blog has served as a key communication platform for sharing project updates, success stories, field innovations, and interventions, including CSA practices, tank rehabilitation, Social Safeguard  and marketing.

Within six years, the blog has attracted 125,074 visitors from around the world, reflecting its growing recognition as a source of knowledge and engagement in the field of sustainable agriculture.

Global Audience
The blog’s reach spans across continents, with readership from diverse regions. According to analytics, the top countries include: Sri Lanka: 26.3K, Netherlands: 22.4K, Singapore: 16K, United States: 13K, Hong Kong: 9.76K, Brazil: 7.24K, Russia: 7K, Vietnam: 3.33K, Mexico: 2.24K, Germany: 1.95K, France: 1.73K, United Kingdom: 995, Sweden: 894, India: 835, China: 673, Austria: 666, Canada: 659, Argentina: 621. Other countries: 8.72K. This wide global distribution underscores the project’s success in reaching an international audience interested in climate-smart agriculture and sustainable development.

Technology Insights
The analytics further reveal that readers accessed the blog through a variety of platforms and devices:

• Browsers: 109K via Chrome, 4.85K via Firefox, 3.76K via Safari, 2.67K via Mobile Safari, 1.83K via EdgiOS, and 2.87K via other browsers.
• Operating Systems: 55.1K from Windows, 46.2K from Macintosh, 14.4K from Android, 5K from iPhone, 3.05K from Linux, and 1.17K from other systems.

These statistics highlight the blog’s accessibility across multiple digital environments, catering to both desktop and mobile users worldwide.

Appreciation
The CSIAP extends its heartfelt gratitude to all readers, contributors, and partners who have supported and visited the blog over the years. Their continued engagement and feedback have been instrumental in making the CSIAP blog a vibrant space for sharing insights and promoting climate-resilient agriculture. As the blog moves forward, the CSIAP remains committed to expanding its digital outreach and continuing to share impactful stories that inspire innovation, sustainability, and resilience among farming communities.

By Samantha Mallawaarchchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP

A Warm Farewell to CSIAP’s Task Team Leader of the World Bank Dr. Sheu Salau

Dr. Salau receives a token of appreciation from Mr. Bandulasena

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) bid a warm farewell to Dr. Sheu Salau, Senior Agriculture Economist and Task Team Leader (TTL) of the World Bank for the CSIAP, who has been a pivotal figure throughout the project’s journey. During his tenure, Dr. Salau demonstrated exemplary leadership and made tremendous contributions to the success of the project. The CSIAP team sincerely appreciates his exceptional guidance, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment as the Task Team Leader. Bringing with him deep agricultural expertise and strategic insight, Dr. Salau steered the CSIAP towards achieving its development objectives. His ability to convene, inspire, and drive collaboration across diverse teams has been instrumental in strengthening partnerships and ensuring impactful results.

Following the successful completion of the CSIAP’s final and 11th Implementation Support Mission, Dr. Salau, accompanied by Mr. Seenithamby Manoharan, Senior Consultant for Agriculture and Rural Development, and Mr. Jagath Seneviratne, Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant of the World Bank, visited the CSIAP Project Management Unit (PMU) for the final time.

Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director, along with PMU staff, warmly welcomed Dr. Salau and expressed heartfelt gratitude for his remarkable service and dedication. Dr. Salau’s visionary direction, constructive engagement, and continuous support have been instrumental in driving the project’s success and enhancing collaboration with the World Bank. The impact of his efforts will continue to inspire the CSIAP team as the project carries forward the work he so passionately led. 

The CSIAP extends its deepest appreciation to Dr. Salau for his boundless energy, hard work, and dedication. As he moves on to new assignments, the CSIAP  team wishes him continued success and fulfilment in all his future endeavours. Finally, everyone joined together for a group photograph to mark the occasion.

CSA promoted in the dry zone by the CSIAP with the World Bank support

Vilapukulam Anicut in Mullaitivu Revived — A New Chapter for Palampasi Farmers

A long-awaited moment of joy and pride unfolded in Palampasi of Oddusuddan Agrarian Service Centre Division, Mullaitivu, as the rehabilitated Vilapukulam Anicut was officially handed over to the local farmers during the final and 11th Implementation Support Mission of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The event, held yesterday (01st), marked not just the completion of an infrastructure project but the beginning of renewed agricultural hope for hundreds of farming families in the area.  

Rehabilitated under the second phase of the CSIAP with a total investment of Rs. 23 million, the Vilapukulam Anicut now stands as a symbol of resilience and progress. The once aging and inefficient structure has been fully reconstructed with a modern gate system, ensuring reliable irrigation water to over 275 farmer families who cultivate nearly 1,200 acres of fertile land throughout the year.

Representing the World Bank, Mr. Seenithamby Manoharan, Senior Consultant for Agriculture and Rural Development, ceremonially handed over the rehabilitated anicut to the Palampasi Farmer Organisation. Speaking at the event, he appreciated the efforts of the project team and emphasised the importance of community-led maintenance in sustaining the benefits for future generations. The ceremony drew participation from local farmers, community leaders, and officials from the CSIAP's Project Management Unit & Northern Provincial Office,  and the Department of Agrarian Services of Oddusuddan, all of whom celebrated the achievement as a milestone in enhancing climate-resilient agriculture in the Northern Province. 

The rehabilitation was carried out under the close supervision of Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP (Northern Province), with the technical expertise of Engineer Mr. B. Piratheep and the dedicated technical staff of the project. For the farming community of Palampasi, the new Vilapukulam Anicut is far more than a concrete structure — it represents a renewed promise of stability, productivity, and prosperity. With dependable water resources now flowing again, farmers can look forward to cultivating their lands with confidence, embracing a future made stronger through the vision of the CSIAP.

Story by S. Kesiga, Environmental Safeguard Officer, CSIAP, Northern Province

The CSIAP Opens Value Addition Center in Uyilankulam to Empower Local Farmers

In a significant step toward strengthening rural entrepreneurship and enhancing agricultural livelihoods, the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) inaugurated a Value Addition Center in Uyilankulam yesterday (31st), under the Thunukka Agrarian Service Center Division of the Mullaitivu District.

The opening ceremony took place during the 11th and final Implementation Support Mission of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) and was graced by Dr. Sheu Salau, Senior Agriculture Economist and Task Team Leader (TTL) of the World Bank for CSIAP, who formally declared the centre open. This newly established facility will be operated by the Malarum Pookkal Producer Society, a dynamic farmer-based organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable income generation within the local community. The Value Addition Centre is expected to play a vital role in enabling farmers—especially women and youth—to diversify their agricultural products, reduce post-harvest losses, and earn higher profits through processing and packaging.

To support these efforts, the CSIAP has equipped the centre with a range of modern machinery and tools, including a groundnut decorticator, chilli grinder, rice flour grinder, coconut oil extractor, bag closer machine, and weighing balance. These facilities will allow producers to transform their raw harvests into market-ready goods such as groundnut oil, rice flour, and spice powders, adding substantial value to their produce.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Salau commended the dedication of local farmers and emphasised the importance of such community-driven initiatives in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. “Value addition is a crucial link in the agricultural value chain. It empowers farmers to move beyond primary production and capture greater economic returns from their hard work,” he noted.

Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director, and Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director (Northern Province), along with officials from the CSIAP and members of the farming community, participated in the ceremony. The event concluded with a tour of the facility and an interactive session where farmers shared their aspirations for expanding agro-based enterprises with CSIAP’s continued support. The establishment of the Uyilankulam Value Addition Center stands as another milestone in CSIAP’s mission to empower rural communities through climate-smart, market-oriented agriculture—paving the way for a more resilient and prosperous farming future in northern Sri Lanka.

Story by S. Kesiga, Environmental Safeguard Officer, CSIAP, Northern Province