The CSIAP Blog Reaches Over 150,000 Global Readership Milestone Today

A Major Communication Achievement
The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), funded by the World Bank and implimented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, has achieved a significant communication milestone today, with its official blog (https://csiaplk.blogspot.com) surpassing 150,000 global readers, according to Google Analytics., the CSIAP blog launched in November 2019 has steadily evolved into a dynamic and credible knowledge-sharing platform, serving a wide audience both nationally and internationally. The CSIAP aims to improve the productivity and climate resilience of smallholder agriculture in selected, highly vulnerable hotspot areas across 11 districts of six provinces in Sri Lanka’s dry zone

A Growing Knowledge-Sharing Platform
Over the past six years, the blog has consistently featured project updates, success stories, and field-level innovations. It highlights major interventions including Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, tank rehabilitation initiatives, social safeguard activities, capacity building programs, and agricultural marketing efforts. Through timely and informative content, the blog has strengthened awareness of sustainable irrigation development and climate-resilient agricultural practices implemented under the project. Since its inception, the blog has attracted 150,021 visitors worldwide, underscoring its growing recognition and relevance in the field of climate-smart and sustainable agriculture. The readership milestone reflects not only the volume of visitors but also the increasing interest in evidence-based agricultural development initiatives.

Steady Growth and Expanding Global Reach
The CSIAP blog previously surpassed 125,000 readers on 10 November 2025 and continued its upward momentum by recording an additional increase of 15,000 readers by 26 January 2026. Today, on 12 February 2026, the blog proudly crossed the 150,000 readership milestone.This consistent growth demonstrates the effectiveness of CSIAP’s communication strategy and its commitment to disseminating timely, relevant, and impactful information. The milestone further reinforces the blog’s role as a trusted digital platform for sharing knowledge on climate-smart irrigation, agricultural resilience, and sustainable rural development both in Sri Lanka and across the globe.

By Countries
The CSIAP Blog continues to demonstrate its strong and expanding global presence, reaching a total readership of over 150,000 worldwide. Sri Lanka leads with 30.8k readers, reflecting the strong national engagement with project activities and knowledge products. Internationally, the blog has attracted significant readership from the Netherlands (22.5k), Singapore (20.1k), and the United States (16.4k), highlighting its growing global relevance. Other notable audiences include Hong Kong (11k), Brazil (8.23k), Russia (7.14k), Vietnam (3.73k), Mexico (3.2k), China (2.89k), Germany (2.73k), and France (1.97k). The United Kingdom (1.63k), India (1.23k), Canada (999), Sweden (958), Argentina (793), Austria (676), and Australia (614) also contribute to the international readership, while an additional 12.4k readers connect from various other countries. This diverse geographic distribution clearly reflects CSIAP’s expanding knowledge-sharing footprint across continents.

By Browsers
In terms of browser usage, Google Chrome dominates readership with 130k users, demonstrating the blog’s strong accessibility across mainstream platforms. Firefox (7.36k), Safari (4.63k), and Mobile Safari (2.67k) also account for significant traffic, indicating engagement from both desktop and mobile Apple users. EdgiOS (1.87k), MSIE (1.01k), Samsung Browser (932), CriOS (452), and other mobile browsers further illustrate the wide range of devices and platforms through which readers access CSIAP content. A smaller segment (584) uses other browsers, reflecting the blog’s compatibility across multiple digital environments.

By Operating Systems
The operating system data further confirms the blog’s broad technological reach. Windows users represent the largest share with 70.1k readers, followed closely by Macintosh users at 53.3k, underscoring strong desktop engagement. Mobile access is also significant, with Android users numbering 16.1k and iPhone users at 5.71k, alongside iPad users (401). Linux (3.54k) and Unix (445) users indicate engagement from academic and technical communities, while smaller segments include Android 11 (82), compatible systems (189), and other operating systems (154). Overall, these insights demonstrate that the CSIAP Blog is successfully reaching a wide, technologically diverse, and globally distributed audience, strengthening its role as a trusted platform for climate-smart agriculture knowledge sharing.

Below are three separate congratulatory messages marking the 150,000 global readership milestone.

Dr. Sheu Salau

Message from Dr. Sheu Salau, Senior Agriculture Economist of the World Bank and Task Team Leader – CSIAP
The milestone of 150,000 global readers is a testament to the relevance and quality of the knowledge products generated by the CSIAP. Effective communication is central to development impact, and the CSIAP blog has become an important platform for disseminating insights on cascade management, climate resilience, institutional strengthening, and digital transformation in agricultural service delivery.

This achievement reflects the dedication of the project team and partners who ensure that technical work is translated into accessible and impactful content. Knowledge sharing is not merely about visibility—it is about learning, collaboration, and scaling good practices. We congratulate the team and look forward to seeing CSIAP continue to inspire practitioners, policymakers, and development partners worldwide. 

Mr. D.P. Wickramasinghe

Message from Mr.D. P. Wickramasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation warmly congratulates the CSIAP team on surpassing  150,000 global readers through its blog platform. This accomplishment highlights the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, innovation, and the dissemination of knowledge that supports sustainable agricultural development. It is encouraging to see Sri Lanka’s efforts in climate-smart irrigated agriculture gaining recognition and attention at the international level. Such global outreach strengthens partnerships, enhances learning opportunities, and showcases the country’s leadership in adaptive agricultural practices.

As a World Bank–funded initiative implemented under this Ministry, the CSIAP plays a vital role in supporting resilient agricultural systems and improved livelihoods. The strong international readership affirms that Sri Lanka’s experiences and innovations are contributing to global knowledge. We commend the project team for their professionalism and dedication, and we encourage continued efforts to strengthen communication and knowledge dissemination for sustainable agricultural development.

Mr. Saman Bandulasena

Message from Mr. Saman Bandulasena,  Project Director – CSIAP
Reaching over 150,000 global readers is a proud milestone for the CSIAP. This achievement reflects our commitment to transparency, knowledge sharing, and meaningful communication of the work we carry out across Sri Lanka. Through our blog, we have been able to showcase field innovations, farmer success stories, cascade-based interventions, digital initiatives, and policy-level engagements that contribute to building climate resilience in irrigated agriculture.

This growing global readership demonstrates that the experiences and lessons emerging from CSIAP resonate beyond national borders. As a World Bank–funded project implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, we remain committed to strengthening evidence-based communication, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and sharing knowledge that supports climate-smart development both locally and internationally. 

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

The CSIAP's Interventions for Strengthening Cascade Systems in Sri Lanka

 CSIAP produced three cascade-related videos
The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) has placed strong emphasis on the cascade system, which is a traditional and highly integrated water management system found mainly in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. To improve awareness, participation, and sustainable management of cascades, the CSIAP produced three cascade-related videos in three languages: Introduction to Cascade, Transect Walk, and Cascade Management Committee. Each video highlights a key aspect of cascade-based development and community involvement.

The Introduction to Cascade video explains the concept and importance of the cascade system. A cascade is a network of small tanks (reservoirs), canals, paddy fields, forests, and villages that function together within a micro-catchment area. 

Water released from one tank flows into the next, ensuring efficient use of rainwater. This system supports irrigation, domestic water needs, livestock, biodiversity, and groundwater recharge. The video emphasizes how cascades are not just irrigation structures but socio-ecological systems that connect people, land, and water. It also highlights the need to protect cascades from degradation caused by poor land use, deforestation, and climate change.  Videos in Sinhala, Tamil and English

The Transect Walk video focuses on a participatory field-based approach used by CSIAP to understand cascade conditions. A transect walk involves walking systematically across the cascade landscape with farmers, community members, and technical officers. 

During this walk, participants observe land use patterns, tank conditions, canals, bunds, vegetation, soil erosion, and water flow paths. This method helps identify problems such as siltation, damaged structures, encroachments, and water losses. The video demonstrates how local knowledge is combined with technical expertise to plan improvements. Transect walks also strengthen community ownership, as farmers actively contribute to identifying issues and solutions within their cascade. Videos in Sinhala, Tamil and English

The Cascade Management Committee (CMC) video highlights the institutional arrangement created to ensure sustainable cascade management. The CMC is a community-based organization consisting of farmer organization representatives, women’s groups, village leaders, and relevant officers. 

Its role is to coordinate planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of cascade-level interventions. The committee promotes collective decision-making, conflict resolution, and equitable water distribution. The video emphasizes how strong local institutions are essential for long-term success and resilience of cascade systems. Video in Sinhala, Tamil and English

Overall, CSIAP activities based on cascades aim to rehabilitate tanks, improve irrigation efficiency, strengthen farmer organizations, enhance climate resilience, and protect ecosystems. By combining technical improvements with community participation and traditional knowledge, CSIAP ensures that cascades continue to support livelihoods, food security, and sustainable water management for future generations.

Appreciation and Sincere Gratitude
Our sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks are extended to Mr. D. V. Bandulasena, Institutional Development and Capacity Building Specialist of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), for his outstanding contribution in conceptualising and coordinating the production of the three high-quality cascade-related videos. Mr. Bandulasena’s vision and knowledge  were instrumental in transforming complex concepts related to cascades into clear, engaging, and informative visual content. His leadership in coordinating with multiple stakeholders—including technical experts, field teams, media professionals, and language specialists—ensured that the videos were not only technically accurate but also accessible to diverse audiences across different regions.

The successful production of these videos reflects his dedication, meticulous planning, and ability to harmonise inputs from various parties while maintaining high production standards. His commitment went well beyond routine responsibilities, demonstrating genuine passion and hard work to ensure the final outputs effectively support awareness-raising, community participation, and the sustainable management of cascades under the CSIAP. 

Showcasing CSIAP Excellence: Project Achievements Through Digital Media

Mr. Mallawaarachchi handing over the book to Hon. minister

 Showcasing CSIAP Excellence”—a curated collection of articles published across the CSIAP’s digital platforms, including the CSIAP Web, Blog, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn—was formally handed over to Hon. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, at a special event held yesterday (31st) at the Ministry Auditorium. This publication was edited by Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), and highlights the CSIAP’s communication efforts in documenting and sharing the project’s progress, achievements, and impact.   

The collection features articles covering key project activities under Component 1: Agriculture Production and Marketing and Component 2: Water for Agriculture. In addition, it includes compelling success stories that reflect the project’s commitment to social inclusion and demonstrate the tangible impact the CSIAP has made on improving farmers’ livelihoods across project areas. Together, these articles present a comprehensive narrative of the CSIAP’s contribution to climate-smart agriculture, sustainable water management, and inclusive rural development. 

Articles published on the CSIAP's web and across CSIAP's social media platforms, including the CSIAP blog, reached a global audience of over 146,000 readers. The highest engagement came from Sri Lanka (30.6k), followed by the Netherlands (22.5k), Singapore (19.4k), the United States (15.8k), and Hong Kong (11k). Significant readership was also recorded in Brazil (7.88k), Russia (7.09k), Vietnam (3.6k), Mexico (3.15k), China (2.66k), Germany (2.64k), and France (1.89k). Additional audiences were reached in the United Kingdom, India, Sweden, Canada, Argentina, Austria, and Australia, with a further 11.3k readers from other countries—highlighting the CSIAP’s strong and diverse international reach. 

Mr. Mallawaarchchi was the foundational architect of the CSIAP's entire digital presence, a role he has meticulously executed since the project's inception in 2019. This involved far more than merely creating accounts; it required profound strategic foresight to first define the project's online identity, from establishing a consistent brand voice and visual aesthetic to identifying key target audiences and plotting a long-term content strategy aligned with the CSIAP's core mission. Please click on Showcasing CSIAP Excellence to read.

Photograph by Samal Perera, MALLI

The CSIAP Launches CMC Handbook to Safeguard Village Tank Cascade Systems

CMC book is being presented to the minister by Mr. Saman Bandulasena 

The Cascade Management Committee (CMC) Handbook—designed as a practical and comprehensive guide to strengthen the planning, coordination, and management of cascade systems—was officially launched today (30th) by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) at a special ceremony held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation (MALLI). The event was held under the patronage of Hon. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, underscoring the Government’s strong commitment to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s traditional Village Tank Cascade Systems through improved institutional coordination and climate-resilient water and land management practices.

The handbook is expected to serve as a key reference for Cascade Management Committees, government agencies, farmer organisations, and development partners, supporting more integrated, participatory, and sustainable approaches to cascade and landscape management across the country. 

This handbook provides a common framework and reference for all stakeholders engaged in cascade conservation and development. Drawing on field experience and expert knowledge, it promotes an integrated, landscape-based approach that balances environmental sustainability with community and institutional needs.

Prof. Wickramasighe delivering his speech

Specifically, the handbook seeks to provide clear and practical guidance to Cascade Management Committee (CMC) members, government officials, partner agencies, Farmer Organisations (FOs), and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) by clearly defining their roles, responsibilities, and operational procedures in the management of cascade landscape systems. By establishing a shared understanding of institutional mandates and processes, the handbook supports more effective and accountable governance of cascade systems at the local and landscape levels. 

In addition, the handbook aims to strengthen collaboration and coordination among government agencies, farmer organisations, local communities, and development partners. By promoting inclusive participation and shared decision-making, it encourages stakeholders to work collectively towards common objectives in cascade and landscape management, thereby enhancing coherence, trust, and long-term sustainability of interventions.

The CMC Handbook launch ceramony  in full swing

The handbook also promotes coordinated action among relevant government agencies, local authorities, and communities to ensure the efficient use of financial, technical, and natural resources. Through improved alignment of plans and activities, it seeks to minimize duplication of efforts, reduce institutional overlaps, and enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of cascade-related initiatives.

Furthermore, the handbook focuses on strengthening the institutional capacities of CMCs and partner organisations to effectively plan, monitor, and evaluate cascade-related interventions. By enhancing skills, systems, and tools for evidence-based decision-making, it supports the implementation of well-coordinated, climate-resilient, and sustainable cascade management practices across Sri Lanka.

Content Designer and Consultant Editor of the CMC Handbook, Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, emphasized the critical importance of this handbook and its role in shaping the future of Cascade Management. He highlighted how the handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for planners, practitioners, and policymakers by integrating traditional knowledge with modern management principles. According to him, the handbook provides practical frameworks and strategic insights that support informed decision-making, capacity building, and community participation.

Mr. Wickramarathne addressing the audience

Mr. Wickramaratne further explained that the handbook contributes significantly to the long-term sustainability of the Tank Cascade System by promoting ecosystem-based management, resilience to climate change, and the protection of hydrological and ecological functions. Through this approach, the handbook strengthens efforts toward sustainable water management, agricultural productivity, and environmental conservation, ensuring that the Tank Cascade System continues to benefit future generations. Marking the occasion, a special speech was delivered by Prof. Danthurae Wickramasinghe, Chair of Management Accounting at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, England, who made the keynote address on the role of the Cascade Management. 

A significant milestone moment was marked when the CMC Handbook was formally presented to Hon. Minister Lal Kantha by Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of CSIAP. This symbolic presentation underscored the importance of the handbook as a strategic knowledge resource for strengthening Cascade Management practices. The occasion reflected the collective efforts of stakeholders involved in its development and highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable management of the Tank Cascade System through informed policy guidance and practical implementation.  

The event featured addresses by several distinguished speakers, including Hon. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation; Mrs. Latheesha P. Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation (MALLI); Dr. Athula Senaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank; Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director  and Mr. D. V. Bandulasena, Institutional and Capacity Development Specialist, CSIAP. 

                  Minister Lal Kantha                                                          Dr. Athula Senarathne                                              Mrs. Latheesha Liyanage                                                Mr. Saman Bandulasena                                       Mr. D.V. Bandulasena   

In their remarks, the speakers highlighted the importance of strengthened institutional coordination, community participation, and capacity development in safeguarding Sri Lanka’s Village Tank Cascade Systems, while emphasising the role of the newly launched CMC Handbook in supporting sustainable, climate-resilient cascade and landscape management practices. 

The event was attended by World Bank Officials, senior government officials, including Chief Secretaries, District Secretaries, representatives of implementing agencies, and CSIAP staff, reflecting the high-level institutional commitment to cascade-based water resource management and climate-resilient agricultural development in Sri Lanka.

By Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP and 
Photographs by Samal Perera, MALLI

Accountability on the Ground: Insights from CMC, SAC and CSA Practices in SL

Development interventions do not merely implement predefined accountability frameworks; rather, they actively generate and shape accountability through their practices and processes. We studied how such development interventions produce accountability through everyday practices, material infrastructures, and institutional arrangements, with a particular focus on the World Bank’s Climate-Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project in Sri Lanka, especially its interventions in the Nabadawewa Cascade in Horowpothana, Anuradhapura. Specifically, we discuss how accountability emerges on the ground through three interconnected sites: Cascade Management Committees (CMCs), Social Audit Committees (SACs), and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Practices.

To explore how accountability unfolds at the ground level across these three sites, I had the valuable opportunity to engage with a diverse range of individuals and settings during several months of ethnographic fieldwork in Sri Lanka—primarily within the Nabadawewa cascade. I had the opportunity to interview and listen to the experiences of a wide range of individuals, including beneficiary farmers, farmer organization leaders, community members, elders, project staff, government officers, World Bank officials and consultants, as well as members of the CMCs and SACs. My observations extended across the cascade system—covering lakes, agricultural lands, and village communities—as well as government offices and the Farmer Training School in Thirappane. I also participated in various institutional activities such as CMC and SAC meetings, SAC trainings, a transect walk, and meetings involving community members, government officials, and World Bank representatives. In addition, I followed the project’s social media platforms and reviewed a range of documents sourced from the project website, the World Bank website, and materials shared by officials, farmers, community members, farmer organization leaders, and CMC and SAC members. With this rich, triangulated data, we now examine how some of the practices of these three sites of CMCs, SACs, and CSA interconnect with broader processes of development and accountability.

Cascade Management Committees (CMCs)

CMC Meeting at Nabadawewa, Horowpathana, Anuradhapura

The production of accountability at the ground level unfolded through specific practices of CMCs. Project teams held awareness sessions that went beyond simply informing stakeholders about the CMC; these sessions didn't merely inform stakeholders about the CMC but actively shaped them as accountable actors. Moreover, the very process of forming committees further reinforced it. Farmers learned they were now stakeholders with responsibilities for cascade conservation; government officials discovered new obligations for collaborative management.  

The transect walks through the cascades, involving both officials and local farmers, serve as a powerful example of how accountability is produced through practical, on-the-ground engagement. Walking the landscape, they documented social, economic, hydrological, and environmental challenges—not as passive observers but as actors being constituted as capable of rendering the cascade legible and governable. The farmers proudly shared with me that they had participated in the transect walk and felt happy that their input was genuinely valued. 

The Cascade Management Profile and Plan being developed are not merely planning documents but accountability technologies. Each recorded problem, pinpointed location, and proposed solution produced accountability by establishing what must be answered for, by whom, and how. Attending CMC meetings, reviewing their minutes, and listening to farmers, I witnessed accountability unfolding in real time. The discussions between farmers and officials about challenges in the cascade were not just acts of oversight—they were expressions of accountability in action. Through collaborative dialogue, they co-produced a sense of shared responsibility. Every question raised, concern voiced, and solution proposed embodied the accountability relationships fostered by the project.

Meeting with Ataurulewa Wewa SAC and World Bank Officials

Social Audit Committees (SACs)
SACs include beneficiary farmers of the rehabilitation projects, and they monitor the rehabilitation process on the ground through daily, hands-on engagement with construction sites. Their very formation illustrates how development initiatives generate accountability, rather than merely responding to pre-existing oversight structures. Each infrastructure project becomes an occasion for generating fresh monitoring subjects, new documentation practices, and additional accountability relations. The project doesn't implement a static accountability framework but continuously reproduces accountability through repeated cycles of committee formation, training, and monitoring practice.  

Ground-level accountability production occurred through training sessions where project officials taught beneficiaries how to monitor. Their involvement reflected genuine interest and ownership of the process. These meetings weren't knowledge transfer events but constitutive practices that produced "accountable citizens." Beneficiaries learned to observe, document, and evaluate—capacities not inherent but actively created through development intervention. The training transformed farmers from passive recipients into monitoring subjects capable of demanding accounts. During the SAC training, I witnessed how actively the members engaged in the sessions—asking questions, participating in discussions, and even taking photos of key information from the training slides on their phones.

Accountability is also produced through practices such as committee members physically walking to rehabilitating lakes, observing and measuring progress against specifications, comparing materials to standards, and recording their observations in logbooks. The logbooks they carried—material objects that mediate accountability relations between beneficiaries, contractors, and officials. These logbooks are not neutral recording devices but accountability technologies that transform everyday construction activities into documented, verifiable, and contestable evidence. The logbook itself became an accountability device, accumulating evidence that could later substantiate claims or demands. Each entry recorded not only constituted the SAC as an accountable observer and the observed work as subject to scrutiny, but also materialized accountability linking beneficiaries, contractors, and project officials in relations of mutual answerability.

During my visit, I witnessed this accountability production in action as project officials trained committee members on monitoring protocols, teaching them not just what to observe but how to become accountable observers. The committees don't simply watch development happen; through their embodied practices of walking, observing, measuring, and documenting, they actively produce the accountability relations that make development answerable to its intended beneficiaries.

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Practice

CSA Practices at Nabadawewa, Horowpathana, Anuradhapura

Producer societies operate as accountability nodes that bridge individual farmers and the project, materializing answerability through financial contributions, equipment distribution, facility management, training participation, and market coordination—transforming organizational membership itself into an accountability relation where farmers must answer to their societies, societies to their members and the project, and associations to their constituent societies and external market partners. Trainings in accounting, leadership, teamwork, and entrepreneurship in these societies don’t merely build capacity but produces accountable subjects capable of organizational governance, financial management, and collective decision-making.  

Training programs on these CSA practices, along with the Farmer Training School at Thirappane, produce accountability by constituting farmers as knowledgeable subjects responsible for applying learned techniques and demonstrating outcomes. These training sessions are not passive information transfers but constitutive practices that transform farmers into accountable actors who must answer for their adoption and implementation of climate-smart practices. When farmers attend training, they enter into implicit accountability relations: they become obligated to apply learned methods, demonstrate responsiveness to project knowledge, and report results back to officials and their communities. I witnessed enthusiastic farmers who, after just a single meeting, were eager to implement the group village concept and proudly showcased their progress to officials. Their actions exemplified accountability in practice—not merely by adopting new ideas, but by actively demonstrating their ability to understand, internalize, and carry out the concepts introduced during training, thereby fulfilling the responsibilities it set in motion.

Across the three sites—CMCs, SACs, and CSA practices—accountability takes shape at the ground level through everyday development practices, giving rise to new relationships, accountable subjects, and supporting infrastructures.

Special Gratitude:  To my supervisor, Prof. Danture Wickramasinghe of the University of Glasgow, UK, and Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, Senior IDCB Consultant at the World Bank, all the officials who supported and facilitated my fieldwork, and to every participant who contributed to its success.

By Ms. Madushani Gunathilake, PhD Researcher at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, UK, under the supervision of Prof. Danture Wickramasinghe, University of Glasgow, UK.

The CSIAP Blog Reaches Over 140,000 Global Readership Milestone This Week

 The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) has achieved a significant communication milestone today, with its official blog (https://csiaplk.blogspot.com) surpassing 141,000 global readers, according to Google Analytics. Launched in November 2019, the CSIAP blog has evolved into a key knowledge-sharing platform, regularly featuring project updates, success stories, field-level innovations, and major interventions including Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, tank rehabilitation initiatives, social safeguard activities, and agricultural marketing efforts. Over a six-year period, the blog has attracted 141,266 visitors worldwide, highlighting its growing recognition and relevance in the field of climate-smart and sustainable agriculture.The CSIAP blog surpassed 125,000 readers on 10 November 2025 and has continued to gain strong momentum, recording an additional increase of 15,000 readers by today. This steady growth reflects the blog’s expanding global reach and its effectiveness in disseminating timely, relevant, and impactful information on climate-smart irrigation and agricultural development.

Global Reach and Readership by Country
In terms of geographic reach, the highest readership originates from Sri Lanka (30.3k), followed by the Netherlands (22.5k), Singapore (19.1k), and the United States (15.3k). Significant engagement has also been recorded from Hong Kong (11k), Brazil (7.33k), Russia (7.01k), Vietnam (3.51k), Mexico (3.09k), Germany (2.4k), and China (2.38k), with additional readership from France, the United Kingdom, India, Sweden, Canada, Australia, and several other countries, collectively accounting for 9.58k visits. This diverse international audience underscores the blog’s global relevance and outreach.

 Browser Usage and Preferences
Analysis of browser usage indicates that the majority of readers access the blog through Google Chrome (over 123,000 users), followed by Firefox (5,645), Safari (4,232), Mobile Safari (2,667), and EdgiOS (1,851). Additional access has been recorded via MSIE, Samsung Browser, and other platforms, reflecting a wide range of user preferences and devices.

Operating Systems Used
From an operating system perspective, most users access the blog using Windows (64.5k) and Macintosh (50.8k) systems, while mobile engagement continues to grow through Android (15.8k) and iPhone (5.43k) platforms. Smaller but notable usage has also been recorded on Linux, iPad, Unix, and other systems, demonstrating the blog’s accessibility across multiple digital environments.

Key Agricultural Interventions Highlighted on the CSIAP Blog
The CSIAP blog serves as a comprehensive knowledge platform, providing detailed reports, multimedia content, and practical insights on a wide range of agricultural interventions. Key areas covered include:

• Infrastructure Rehabilitation: Updates on tank rehabilitation, irrigation improvements, and other physical infrastructure projects.
• Capacity Building: Training initiatives for farmers, community organizations, and local stakeholders to strengthen technical and managerial skills.
• Climate-Smart Technologies: Adoption of sustainable farming techniques and innovative technologies that enhance productivity while promoting environmental sustainability.
• Marketing and Value Chain Development: Strategies to improve market access, increase profitability, and support agribusiness growth.
• Success Stories: Real-life examples of communities and individuals benefiting from CSIAP interventions.
• Gender and Youth Empowerment: Initiatives aimed at increasing participation, decision-making, and leadership opportunities for women and young people.
• Digital Integration: Use of digital tools and platforms to enhance agricultural practices, monitoring, and communication.

Conclusion
This milestone highlights CSIAP’s success in digital communication and knowledge-sharing, strengthening global engagement in climate-smart agriculture and sustainable development practices. The blog continues to serve as an essential resource for stakeholders, practitioners, and enthusiasts worldwide.
By Samantha Mallawaarchchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP

The CSIAP Northern Province Plants 1,800 Trees to Strengthen Cascade Ecosystems

Tree Plantation Drive Implemented Across Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts Under Cascade Management Plans

The Deputy Project Director’s Office of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) – Northern Province successfully carried out a large-scale tree plantation programme recently, planting 1,800 trees across six Agrarian Service Centre (ASC) divisions in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. The initiative was implemented as part of the Cascade Management Plan, with the objective of restoring ecosystems, enhancing environmental resilience, and supporting climate-smart agriculture practices in the northern province.

 A variety of environmentally and economically valuable tree species—including Neem, Indian beech (Pungan), Mee, Arjun, and Mahua—were planted, contributing to soil conservation, biodiversity enhancement, and long-term livelihood benefits for farming communities.

Tree Plantations Implemented in Kilinochchi District
In the Kilinochchi District, a total of 1,200 trees were planted across four cascades under three Agrarian Service Centres:

• Pandivetti Cascade – 300 trees planted under Mulankavil ASC
• Mallikai Aru Cascade – 300 trees planted under Akkarayan ASC
• Paththinippai Cascade – 300 trees planted under Poonagary ASC
• Siththanodai Upper Cascade – 300 trees planted under Poonagary ASC

These plantations aim to strengthen watershed protection, reduce land degradation, and improve the sustainability of irrigation systems within the cascade areas.

Plantation Activities in Mullaitivu District
In the Mullaitivu District, 600 trees were planted across two major cascades:

• Peraru Cascade – 300 trees planted under Puthukkudiyiruppu ASC
• Kachchakodi Aru Cascade – 300 trees planted under Mulliyawalai ASC

The selected locations were identified based on ecological needs and their potential to enhance water retention, reduce erosion, and support climate resilience in farming landscapes.

Leadership, Guidance, and Environmental Oversight
The programme was conducted under the guidance and supervision of Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP – Northern Province. Ms. S. Kesiga, Environmental Safeguard Officer of CSIAP – Northern Province, played a key role in coordinating and overseeing the environmental aspects of the plantation activities, ensuring alignment with safeguard standards and sustainability objectives.

Contributing to Climate-Smart and Sustainable Agriculture
This tree plantation initiative reflects CSIAP’s broader commitment to integrating environmental conservation with agricultural development. By strengthening cascade ecosystems, the project contributes to improved water management, enhanced climate resilience, and long-term benefits for farming communities in the Northern Province.