CSIAP on Sooriya Wimana, a live TV programme telecasted by ITN

Dr. Priyantha Weerasinghe, Deputy Project Director and Mr. Sisira Semasinghe, Agriculture extension Specialist of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) were on Sooriya Wimana, a live TV programme telecasted by ITN at 10.00am on 27th this month to talk about CSIAP and its objectives.

Please click to watch: Sooriya Wimana on YouTube or Sooriya Wimana on Facebook

CSIAP to improve the productivity and climate resilience is underway in Sri Lanka

Dr. Weerasinghe is on ITN FM

The development objective of Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is to improve the productivity and climate resilience of smallholder agriculture in selected hotspot areas. The project will address the key problem of the vulnerability of agriculture systems in climatic hot spot areas of the country. Dr. Priyantha Weerasinghe, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP talked about CSIAP on ITN FM at 7.55pm on 23rd  this month.

The project is fully integrated within the Government of Sri Lanka administration, and the project implementation is designed to capitalize on existing government agencies at all levels. The participating departments will carry out the project activities within their mandates, but coordinated by provincial DPD (Deputy Project Director) offices, with district units established at the Department of Agriculture (DoA)/Provincial Irrigation Department (PID)/Assistant Commissioner Agrarian Development (ACAD) offices and divisional units established at Agrarian Service Centers (ASCs).  Please click to listen: News of ITN FM yesterday (23rd). 

Introducing an Efficient Method to Prepare Nurseries for Seedling Broadcasting

Mrs. Samaraweera discusses nursery preparation with farmers, and a seedling  nursery is being prepared for broadcasting

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) introduced an efficient method of preparing nurseries for seedling broadcasting to farmers in identified hotspot areas. This practical demonstration was conducted in the Mahanikawewa and Ranorawa cascade systems in the Anuradhapura District, enabling farmers to gain hands-on experience with this climate-smart technique. 

Seedling Broadcasting as a Climate-Smart Technology
Seedling broadcasting is recognized as a climate-smart agricultural technology that offers an economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional direct seeding. This method supports increased crop yields and improved quality while reducing production costs, input requirements, and negative environmental impacts. A key preparatory step in this process is raising healthy seedlings in a well-managed nursery before broadcasting them in the field.

Nursery Preparation Process
Under this method, pre-germinated seeds are sown on specially prepared trays, where they develop into healthy seedlings. Raising seedlings separately in a nursery ensures better initial growth and survival compared to direct seeding in the field. Once seedlings reach the appropriate stage, they are broadcast uniformly, supporting better crop establishment.

 Key Advantages of Nursery-Based Seedling Broadcasting
The nursery method offers several important benefits to farmers:
1.     Water Saving – Water use is reduced as seeds are converted into seedlings in a controlled nursery environment rather than in the field.
2.    Favourable Growth Conditions – Nurseries provide optimal conditions for early plant growth.
3.    Improved Plant Care – Managing seedlings in a small area makes it easier to protect young plants from pests, diseases, weeds, and pathogenic infections.
4.    Efficient Land Use – Nursery practices help maximize land productivity.
5.     Improved Crop Uniformity – Uniform seedlings contribute to even crop growth in the field.
6.    Reduced Field Management Costs – Strong, evenly grown seedlings lower labour and management requirements after establishment.
 
Technical Guidance and Participation
Mrs. Gourie Samaraweera, Deputy Director of Agriculture for Anuradhapura, provided detailed explanations and practical demonstrations on nursery preparation for seedling broadcasting. The event was attended by Mr. Lakshman Premanath, Deputy Project Director for the North Central Province, along with officials from the Provincial Department of Agriculture and CSIAP, highlighting strong institutional support for promoting climate-smart agricultural practices among farmers. 

A technical session of the 50th ISSSM conducted by CSIAP DPD Dr. Weerasinghe

Dr. Weerasinghe conducts the technical session 1

Dr. Priyantha Weerasinghe, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP (Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project) conducted the technical session 1: Advanced Technologies in Soil Fertility Management of the 50^th International Symposium on Sustainable Soil Management (ISSSM) held today (05^th) at National Agriculture Information and Communication Centre (NAICC), Peradeniya. Dr. W.M.W. Weerakoon, The Director General of Agriculture, of Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka will grace the event as the chief guest.

Dr. Weerasinghe receives a token of appreciation

The objective of this symposium is to provide scientific knowledge and technological interventions to promote beneficial management practices to sustain soil resource for the provision of food, income and a quality environment for people.

At the end of the session a token of appreciation was awarded to Dr. Weerasinghe by Mr. W.S.P.Y. Upali, General Secretary of Soil Science Society of Sri Lanka which is the main organizer of this event. Dr. Weerasinghe, who is a Principal Agriculture Scientist (Soil and Plant Nutrition), was the Director of the Horticulture Crops Research and Development Institute of the Department of Agriculture prior to his retirement. Dr. Weerasinghe obtained his BSc (Agri) from the University of Peradeniya, M Phil (Agric) from Wye College, the University of London and PhD ( Soil Science) from Punjab Agriculture University, India. He has published many scientific research articles and book chapters in both national and international journals.

Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture of University of Peradeniya, Department of Export Agriculture, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are joint organizers.

Introduction of Cono Weeder to Farmers in Anuradhapura

Farmers using Cono Weeder to manage weeds in the paddy field

The Cono Weeder, a manually operated machine designed for weeding paddy fields, has been introduced to farmers in hotspot areas by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The machine is currently in operation in Ranorawa, Anuradhapura, a key area under the CSIAP.

 The Cono Weeder works by uprooting weeds with its rotating teeth and burying them in the mud through simple push-and-pull movements. It is easy to operate manually, making it suitable even for heavy clay soils. By using the Cono Weeder, farmers can significantly reduce the need for herbicides, promoting environmentally friendly farming practices.

This initiative is implemented jointly by the CSIAP and the Department of Agriculture, aiming to improve paddy field management, reduce labour intensity, and enhance productivity in climatically vulnerable areas. 

Introduction of the Parachute Method by the CSIAP to Farmers in Hotspot Areas

Broadcasting of seedlings in the paddy field 

The Parachute Method, also known as Seedling Broadcasting, is a novel technique for establishing paddy fields and has been introduced to farmers in hotspot areas by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). This innovative technology allows 12–15-day-old seedlings, grown in small cell plastic nursery trays with mud, to be broadcast directly into paddy fields, simplifying the transplanting process.

The method is being promoted among paddy growers in Mahanikawewa and Ranorawa in Anuradhapura, key CSIAP areas. Project officials, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, are providing technical guidance and training to encourage farmers to adopt this efficient seedling establishment method. The Parachute Method helps reduce labor requirements, shortens the time for field establishment, and supports climate-smart paddy cultivation practices in vulnerable areas. 

World Bank specialists conduct a workshop on Social Safeguards

Both Dr. Wickramasinghe and Mr. Fernando are addressing participants

Two World Bank Specialists Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, Consultant (Social Safeguard) and Mr. Shanek Fernando, Specialist (Social Safeguards) conducted a workshop on Identifying and Addressing Social Impacts for CSIAP (Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project) Interventions or Climatic Hot-spot Area Development held today (02nd) at CBS, Rajagiriya.

This two-day workshop, which started today, was organized by Ms. Sharmila Shanmuganathan, Social Safeguards and Gender Development Officer of PMU (Project Management Unit), CSIAP. The PMU and DPDO (Deputy Project Director Office) staff participated in this workshop.

Strengthening Capacity on Environmental Screening and Environmental Plan

Mrs. Samarakon is expressing her ideas 

Mrs. Maheni Samarakon, Environmental Safeguard Specialist, delivered a comprehensive lecture on the familiarization of the Environmental Screening Checklist and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) at the workshop on Environmental Screening Report (ESR) and EMP preparation, held today (28th) at the Central Bank Staff Training Centre (CBS), Rajagiriya. During her session, Mrs. Samarakon clearly explained the purpose and importance of environmental screening in project implementation, highlighting how the screening checklist supports the early identification of potential environmental risks and impacts. She also guided participants through the structure and key components of an effective Environmental Management Plan, emphasizing practical approaches to mitigation measures, monitoring mechanisms, and compliance with national environmental regulations and World Bank safeguard requirements. Real project-based examples were used to enhance participants’ understanding and application of the tools.

The two-day capacity-building workshop, which commenced today, was organized by Ms. Udula Sedara, Environment Officer of the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The programme aims to strengthen the technical capacity of project staff in preparing high-quality Environmental Screening Reports and EMPs, ensuring environmentally responsible and climate-resilient project implementation. Officials from the PMU and Deputy Project Director Offices (DPDOs) actively participated in the workshop, engaging in discussions and practical sessions designed to improve consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness in environmental safeguard documentation under CSIAP.

Why cascade system is important for the hotspot area management

Dr. Sakalasooriya is delivering his lecture

Dr. Nishan. P. Sakalasooriya, PRA Consultant for Tank Cascade System delivered his lecture on why cascade system is important for the hotspot area management at the workshop on Environment Screening Report preparation and EMP preparation held today (28th) at CBS, Rajagiriya.

This two-day workshop, which started today, was organized by Ms. Udula Sedara, Environment Officer of PMU (Project Management Unit), Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The PMU and DPDO (Deputy Project  Director  Office) staff participated in this workshop.

Demonstrating a Drum Seeder in Ranorawa and Mahanikawewa, Anuradhapura

A demonstration programme on a Drum Seeder was held in Ranorawa and Mahanikawewa cascades in Anuradhapur District under Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP).

Row seeding in paddy field by using Drum Seeder and Eng. Balasooriya is explaining

The major benefit on this system is that the drum seeder itself can be also placed on any type of soil. Then seeding can be done easily , quickly and evenly by this drum seeder. In row seeding, the seeds are sowed in furrows made by the boot of the planter and evenly covered with loose soil to a given depth. This ensures uniform sprouting and plant development and simultaneous maturation.

Eng. Chinthaka Balasooriya of Farm Mechanization Training Centre explained the advantages of using Drum Seeder to farmers.

The Hot-Spot area development model aims to enhance resilience

The Hot-Spot area development model aims to enhance resilience of hotspot areas where you live said Mr. Nagarajah Rajkumar, Deputy Project Director, Project Management Unit (PMU) at Agrarian Service Centre (ASC), Akkarayan, Kilinochchi. Addressing the local community on the benefits and importance of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project will bring to the men and women farmers in the Hot Spot Area, he further added:

Mr. Rajkumar is addressing farmers

“Those, who depend on hotspot areas for their livelihoods by adapting flexible climate change management practices, will be feasible in the locality.  This project will also focus on adaptive management of existing , improved irrigation water storage and delivery structures to make irrigation more reliable in the face of rising climatic variability.”

 “ The project will also provide men and women smallholder farmers with better agricultural inputs, techniques and practices along with the additional water now available tohelp farmers to better stabilize crop yield rising climatic variability and reduce crop harvest losses".

“The project will focus on identifying new markets, and ensure better access to markets and higher prices, through marketing higher up the value chain, more competitive agri-enterprises and upgraded infrastructure for agricultural trade, so that producers and other value chain participants could better stabilize and increase incomes from agricultural livelihoods.”

Miss. Sharmila Shanmuganathan, Social Safeguard and Gender Development Officer of Project Management Unit (PMU), Mr. S. Parthipan and Mr.V. Suganthan, Agrarian Development Officers of Dept of Agrarian Development and Staff of Provincial Deputy Project Director Office (PDPDO) of Northern Province also participated in this event.

Inspecting key facilitators for the PRA activity in Trincomalee

PMU staff  with EMU Consultants

The PMU (Project Management Unit) staff of Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) scrutinizes the competency of the newly nominated key facilitators for the PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) activity launched by EML Consultants  in Trincomalee  District. A consultative meeting was held with the EML consultants, new key facilitators and the PMU staff at the Deputy Project Director (DPD) office of the Eastern province on 14^st November 2019. After briefing the objectives of the visit, the team decided to interview each of the key facilitators separately instead of having a common meeting.

The interview panel was headed by Dr. Priyantha Weerasingh, Deputy Project Director and team leader of the PRA coordinating team along with  other members Dr. Ariyadada Rathnayaka, Deputy Project Director,  Eastern Province, Mr. S. Amal Arunapriya, Institutional Development and Capacity Building Specialist and team member of the PRA coordinating team, Mr O. P. Kithsiri, Deputy Project Director, North Western Province of CSIAP.

CSIAP improves the productivity and climate resilience of smallholder agriculture

The objective of Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) development is to improve the productivity and climate resilience of smallholder agriculture in selected hotspot areas said Mr. Nadaraja Sivalingam, Project Director, CSIAP- Sri Lanka delivering key note address in the workshop to review Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) progress and Hostspots Area Agriculture Development Plan (HSAADP) outline held on 06th this month at Center for Banking Studies at Rajagiriya.

Project Director Eng. Nadaraja Sivalingam is addressing participants in the workshop

Expressing his idea on CSIAP furthermore Mr. Sivalingam further added “Sri Lanka is vulnerable to climate related natural disasters that have major economic impacts. The hotspot areas in the dry zone have emerged as being particularly susceptible to either flood or drought events, or both. Therefore, hotspot areas have been identified as the most vulnerable to climate events that affect the agriculture production and productivity.”

“Climate resilience is defined as the capacity of agriculture system to respond to drought and flood by resisting or tolerating the impacts and recovering quickly through integration of adaptation, mitigation and other climate smart agriculture practices.  This project differs from the other projects by using the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) to identify the problems, challenges and opportunities of smallholder agriculture communities in the hotspot area.”

 “If we use the correct methods and also the active participation of all stakeholders during the PRA activity and also consultation with other stakeholders and partners, the issues and needs of the farmer communities can be fully understood and addressed through the project intervention. The information gathered from the PRA will be incorporated into a hot spot Area Agriculture Development Plan which will an action plan for the implementation of the project. Therefore, the HSAADP is very important to the CSIAP.”

“The HSAADP will also focus on the voice and needs of the socially excluded communities. These communities include women farmers, women farmer origination, women headed farm families physically challenge farmers poor smallholder farmers, farmers who are living under the poverty line, women who are living in the resettled areas or relocated communities, non-titleholders, ethnic minorities in the hotspot areas. Therefore, it is essential that the participation of these excluded communities in the PRA exercise and to count their voice and concerns.”

“Based on the HSAADP, sub projects will be identified taking into consideration of the important issues identified and the priorities placed by the communities we are going to identify the subprojects in terms of priority basis in the hotspot area. Therefore, the success of the project intervention and implementation definitely depends on the success of the HSAADP.”  

World Bank officials, Staff representing PMU (Project Management Unit) and Provincial Deputy Project Director offices of the CSIAP  and experts from selected PRA firms were also present on the occasion.

The CSA Manual Strengthens Climate-Resilient Farming Practices under the CSIAP

Dr.  Ravichandran  addressing officials during the stakeholder workshop

A Practical Guide for Adapting to Climate Change 
The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) manual introduced by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) provides comprehensive guidance on the adaptation of CSA techniques, emphasising practical solutions to address climate change challenges in agriculture. This was highlighted by Dr. V. K. Ravichandran, World Bank Consultant, while addressing a stakeholder workshop held yesteday (04th) of this month at the National Training Center of the Department of Agrarian Development, Pothuhara, Kurunegala.

Expert Insights on CSA Adaptation 
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ravichandran stated that the CSA manual contains valuable and well-structured information that supports the effective adaptation of CSA techniques. He emphasised that adopting CSA practices has become an essential requirement in the present context, where climate variability and extreme weather events increasingly affect agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods. He further noted that CSIAP, a World Bank–funded project implemented in Sri Lanka, has already commenced introducing and promoting CSA techniques across six provinces. In support of this effort, the CSA manual has been developed as a practical reference for implementing officials, extension officers, and technical staff working at provincial and district levels. 

Key Focus Areas of the CSA Manual
Dr. Ravichandran explained that the manual focuses on three core pillars of CSA. These include improving the efficient use of natural resources such as water, soil, and inputs; introducing adaptation techniques that help farming systems withstand extreme climate events; and promoting mitigation measures within the agriculture sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Together, these approaches aim to strengthen climate resilience while sustaining productivity.

Stakeholder Participation
Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture, representing provincial and district levels, along with staff from the CSIAP, participated in the workshop. Their engagement reflected a collective commitment to strengthening climate-smart agricultural practices through well-informed planning, capacity building, and practical field application.

PMU Officials of the CSIAP make government officials aware of the CSA Manual

      The PMU Officials engage in an interactive discussion with participants

Senior officials of the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) introduced the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Manual to government officers representing Provincial and Inter-Provincial Departments of Agriculture yesterday (04th) at the National Training Centre of the Department of Agrarian Development, Pothuhara, Kurunegala.

The programme aimed to familiarize government officers with the key concepts, applications, and practical relevance of the CSA Manual in promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices. Participants were provided with an opportunity to engage in an open discussion with PMU officials, enabling them to share views, seek clarifications, and provide feedback for further improvement of the manual.

Representing the PMU of CSIAP, Mr. Sisira Semasinghe, Agriculture Extension Specialist; Dr. Priyantha Weerasinghe, Deputy Project Director (Irrigation); Mr. Amal Arunapriya, Institutional Development and Capacity Building Specialist; and Mr. V. Mohamed Ameen, Consultant (Financial Management) of the World Bank, were present at the head table and actively participated in the discussions.

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project Now Underway in Sri Lanka

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is now underway in Sri Lanka following the approval of a US$140 million credit by the World Bank Board of Directors. The project aims to improve the productivity and climate resilience of agriculture for more than 470,000 smallholder farmers across six provinces in the country’s dry zone.

The selected provinces—Northern, North Central, North Western, Eastern, Uva, and Southern—are among the areas most vulnerable to climate change impacts, including frequent floods and prolonged droughts. CSIAP is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, in partnership with the respective Provincial Councils.

Project Financing and Rationale
The total project cost of US$140 million includes a US$125 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), a US$10 million contribution from the Government of Sri Lanka, and a US$5 million contribution from project beneficiaries.
 
Sri Lanka is particularly vulnerable to climate-related natural disasters, which significantly affect the agriculture sector. Agriculture contributes approximately 7.7 percent of the national economy and employs about 27 percent of the population, more than 38 percent of whom are women. As climate risks intensify, strengthening the resilience of this sector has become a national priority.

Project Objective
The overall objective of CSIAP is to enhance the productivity and climate resilience of smallholder agriculture in selected hotspot areas through improved agricultural practices, efficient water management, and strengthened institutional capacity.

The project is implemented through four key components:
(1) Agriculture Production and Marketing component will improve agriculture productivity and diversification through the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices and improved on-farm water management.
(2) Water for Agriculture component will facilitate (a) planning for water and other infrastructure necessary to support climate-resilient irrigated agriculture, (b) construction of the planned infrastructure, and (c) co-management of this infrastructure by central/provincial governments and the local community.
(3) Project Management component will ensure the quality of overall project management, while ensuring smooth coordination of activity implementation by various agencies and strategic partners at national and subnational levels. This component will finance:(a) the consultancy and operating costs of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Deputy Project Director (DPD) Offices and of different project executing agencies, including for fiduciary and safeguard aspects; (b) the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of project activities at baseline, midterm, and end of project, including geotagging of the assets created; and (c) information, education, and communication campaigns to make all stakeholders aware of the project.
(4) Contingent Emergency Response component will allow for rapid reallocation of project proceeds in the event of a natural disaster or crisis that has caused or is likely to imminently cause a major adverse economic and social impact.