Yala 2020 is now in operation throughout the country

Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project implements Yala 200  which is in line with the programme implemented by the  Ministry of Agriculture to overcome possible food shortage that could surface out owing to COVID 19 pandemic. Therefore, this project will be implemented in all climatically vulnerable hot spot areas identified by the project covering 11 districts of the island giving priority for the promotion of Other Food crops (OFC). The total cultivable area expected to cover by the project is 4,029.4 Ac involving with more than 7,074 beneficiaries. The project aims to grow OFC in fields coming under the command area of tanks with adequate water applying climate-smart practices.

Harvesting cowpea  in the field

The COVID -19 pandemic occurred in end 2019 will limit the future food supply of the country owing not only to the limited availability of food items in the export market but also to the unhealthy financial status of the country to import those. Under this circumstance, the Government of Sri Lanka has launched a Saubhagya National Food Production Drive persuading the cultivation of all food crops. Consistent with the AgStat volume XVI (Department of Agriculture, 2019), it was noted that from the total importation of food items, OFC alone utilizes 39.26% of the food import bill. Further, the decision recently taken by the cabinet of ministers to limit imports except pharmaceuticals and petroleum will create a food shortage in the market in the short run.

To face this situation, the Presidential Task Force established to fight for Covid 19, has declared the promotion of food crops as an urgent need and which has become a high priority in the country at present. This task force has identified Maize, Mung bean, Ground nut, Cowpea, Kollu, Sesame, Kurakkan, Chili, Soya, B Onion, Red Onion, Black gram, Turmeric and Ginger as the main crops to be given priority.

The main objective  of the Yala 2020

To support more than 7,000 farmers in hot spot areas of 11 districts to cultivate OFCs in 4,029.4 acres to increase food production in the country and the annual farmer family income by 10%.

Beneficiaries of  Yala 2020
The number of direct beneficiaries of the sub-project is 7074 farmers in all hot spot areas. Out of which 4882 farmers are male and 2192 are female. No of women headed farmer families involved in the sub-project is 384.

Type of agricultural inputs and assistance for beneficiaries.

It is proposed that the selected farmers will be provided with seed materials required for the cultivation of identified crops. the table  shows the seed requirement for different OFC crops that would be cultivated under the project.

Kurakkan:(Extent Ac: 8.4, Seed requirement Kg: 25.2), Sesame :(Extent Ac: 10, Seed requirement Kg: 30), Maize -Hybrid:(Extent Ac: 74, Seed requirement Kg: 370),Mung Bean:(Extent Ac: 553.5, Seed requirement Kg: 6642), Soya: (Extent Ac: 60, Seed requirement Kg: 1200), Groundnut :(Extent Ac: 1658, Seed requirement Kg: 66320), Cowpea: (Extent Ac: 1151.5, Seed requirement Kg: 17275.5), Blackarm: (Extent Ac: 25, Seed requirement Kg: 250),Chilli-(Extent Ac: 379, Seed requirement Kg: 151) and Red Onion -Bulb: (Extent Ac: 110, Seed requirement Kg: 66000)..

By Mr. Sisira Semasinghe, Agriculture Extension Specialist, PMU, CSIAP.

CSIAP’s Cluster Village Development Programme is now underway

The main objective of the Cluster Village Development Programme (CVDP) is to contribute to the government of Sri Lanka to reduce the importation cost of selected crop products, increase the farmer annual income and maximum utilization of farmer land for higher productivity. 

Under this program, a Cluster Villages are established in an each hotspot district with selected crops applying all possible climate-smart practices by farmers with market-oriented products in the village. This village is developed as a ‘Climate Smart Modal Village’ which will provide a greater learning experience for farmers in hot spot areas.
Please click to listen: CVDP on SLBC Radio

The CVDP Gets Underway in 11 Hotspot Districts to Prevent Future Food Shortages

The Cluster Village Development Programme (CVDP) has been designed to increase farmer income and reduce food importation by applying a comprehensive range of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices across 11 hotspot districts. The programme covers an extent of 530 acres and directly benefits 630 farmers. With a total project expenditure of Rs. 43.0 million, the initiative has progressed successfully despite numerous challenges arising from the prevailing socio-economic conditions in the country. The strong commitment and collaboration of both project officials and farmers have been key contributors to the programme’s success. 

Contribution to National Food Security
The CVDP is one of four key programmes launched by the CSIAP in parallel with the National Food Production Drive under “Saubhagye Dekma”. The initiative was introduced to mitigate potential food shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure a stable and resilient food supply system for the country. The CSIAP has initiated plans to launch a CVDP in each district where the project is currently being implemented. This programme targets pre-determined hotspot areas across eleven districts, namely Kurunegala, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa Ampara, Monaragala and Hambantota.

Objective of the Cluster Village Programme
The main objective of the Cluster Village Programme is to develop model cluster villages in hotspot areas by promoting market-driven crop cultivation using Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices. The initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen farmer incomes, and improve climate resilience while ensuring the sustainability of natural resources.
 
Discussion with World Bank and CSIAP Officials
A special discussion on the Cluster Village Programme was recently held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo 07, with the participation of World Bank officials and the CSIAP staff. The discussion focused on implementation strategies, institutional coordination, and expected outcomes of the programme. 

Dr. Weerasinghe conducting the session with Eng. Sivalingam, and Mr Manoharan seated beside them

The discussion was conducted by Dr. Priyantha Weerasinghe, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP, who facilitated in-depth deliberations on the proposed Cluster Village Programme. Dr. Weerasinghe outlined the programme framework, implementation mechanisms, and expected outcomes, while encouraging active engagement from both the CSIAP staff and World Bank representatives. The CSIAP team was led by Eng. Nadaraja Sivalingam, Project Director of the CSIAP, provided overall leadership and strategic direction for the discussion. Representing the World Bank, Mr. Seenithamby Manoharan, Task Team Leader of the CSIAP and Senior Rural Development Specialist, emphasised the importance of integrating climate-smart agriculture practices with market-oriented approaches to ensure sustainable livelihoods in hotspot areas.Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne, Consultant, and Mr. V. Mohamed Ameen, Consultant (Financial Management) of the World Bank also participated in this event.

Contribution to National Food Security

The Cluster Village Development Programme is one of four key programmes launched by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in parallel with the National Food Production Drive under “Saubhagye Dekma”. The initiative was introduced to mitigate potential food shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure a stable and resilient food supply system for the country.

Benefits to CSIAP Beneficiaries under the Cluster Village Programme

The programme offers a wide range of benefits to participating farmers, including: 

• Identifying viable marketing opportunities for agricultural produce
• Selecting suitable crops and lands based on climate and market demand
• Developing water resources and related infrastructure

• 

  A demonstration programme conducted under the CVDP

  Providing 50% of required agricultural inputs through the project
• Forming market-oriented producer groups and farmer societies
• Establishing trade agreements to directly link farmers with markets
• Introducing smart technologies for product marketing, weather information, cultivation practices, and trade updates
• Training farmers on climate-resilient cultivation practices
• Conducting Farmer Business School training programmes
• Supporting farmers to become agro-entrepreneurs
• Providing seed support and technology transfer
• Implementing sustainable home and village garden development programmes
• Enhancing and protecting village ecosystems
• Providing facilities to enable cultivation in each landholding
• Improving market and agricultural access infrastructure
• Establishing village-centred markets
• Setting up processing and packing centres
• Providing storage facilities for producer groups
• Supplying plastic crates and agricultural implements for post-harvest handling
• Establishing demonstration plots showcasing climate-smart agricultural practices
• Evaluating farmer performance and introducing reward mechanisms to recognize best practices

Through these integrated interventions, the Cluster Village Development Programme plays a vital role in promoting climate resilience, improving farmer livelihoods, strengthening market linkages, and contributing to national food security. 

By Sisira Semasinghe, Agriculture Extension Specialist, PMU, CSIAP