Senior Official from CSIAP and DAD engaging in high-level discussion
A special high-level discussion on the modernization of
Agrarian Service Centres (ASCs) in areas covered by the Climate Smart Irrigated
Agriculture Project (CSIAP) was held yesterday at the Department of Agrarian
Development (DAD) Head Office in Colombo. The meeting brought together senior
officials of the DAD and the CSIAP to review progress and outline key
interventions aimed at strengthening farmer services.
Modernizing
ASCs into One-Stop Service Centres
Under
the proposed modernization programme, CSIAP is supporting the transformation of
ASCs into fully functional One-Stop Service Centres, offering modern,
efficient, and climate-responsive services to farmers. The initiative is
designed to enhance farmers’ resilience to climate change while addressing key
challenges that limit agricultural productivity.
A major component of the programme involves the renovation, expansion, and refurbishment of 47 existing ASC office buildings within the CSIAP command area. These centers will be upgraded to operate as attractive, farmer-friendly service hubs. The estimated investment for this civil infrastructure development is Rs. 336.18 million.
Establishment
of ICT Units in ASCs
In
line with the digitalization of agrarian services, the project also plans to establish
fully equipped ICT units in each of the 47 ASCs. These units will be staffed
with trained personnel and provided with modern equipment to deliver vital
information to farmers, including weather forecasts, market trends, and access
to new agricultural technologies. As a pilot initiative, ICT units will be set
up in two ASCs—Parangiyawadiya in the Anuradhapura District and Weerawila in
the Hambantota District—at a total cost of Rs. 8.16 million. Of this, CSIAP
will contribute Rs. 6.68 million, while the DAD will provide Rs. 1.47 million.
The expansion of ICT units to the remaining 45 ASCs is expected to commence
next year.
Establishment
of Farm Machinery Hubs (FMUs)
Another
key intervention discussed was the establishment of Farm Machinery Hubs (FMUs)
at each ASC, to be managed by the respective Agrarian Development Committees
(ADCs). These hubs aim to reduce farmers’ dependence on middlemen, ensure fair
access to machinery, and create income-generating opportunities to strengthen
the Agrarian Fund. The pilot phase, covering the same two ASCs, is estimated to
cost approximately Rs. 240 million, with plans to extend the initiative to the
remaining centres in the coming year.
The discussion was attended by Dr. Priyantha Weerasinghe, Acting Project Director, CSIAP, Provincial Deputy Project Directors, Mr. A. H. M. L. Abeyrathna, Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development, and other senior officials from both institutions.
