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.
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| 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.
Benefits to CSIAP Beneficiaries under the Cluster Village Programme
- Identifying viable marketing opportunities for agricultural produce
- Selecting suitable crops and lands based on climate and market demand
- Developing water resources and related infrastructure
Providing 50% of required agricultural inputs through the project
A demonstration programme conducted under the CVDP - 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
