The 5th NPSC Meeting of the CSIAP commences at the MoA

The 05th National Project Steering Committee Meeting (NPSC) in 2021 of the CSIAP is being held today (28th) at the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), under the patronage of Senior Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe, Secretary, to the Ministry of Agriculture.

 The overall project oversight is the responsibility of the NPSC established in the Ministry of Agriculture and chaired by its secretary. The NPSC consists of Heads of Departments, Senior Officials/representatives of the government and the World Bank.

 Chief Secretaries of six provinces where the CSIAP is being implemented, Heads of Departments of Implementing Agencies working with the CSIAP, other senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Project Director and  Deputy Project Directors of the CSIAP, physically participated in the meeting,  and the World Bank Task Team and other government officials joined this meeting virtually.

The CSIAP Provides the DAD with Rs: 3.5 Million of 95 Direct Paddy Seeders

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) funded by the World Bank provided the Department of Agrarian Development (DAD) with 95 Direct Paddy Seeders valued at Rs: 3.5 million at the Ministry of Agriculture today (27th). On behalf of the CSIAP, Minister of Agriculture Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage handed Direct Paddy Seeders over to Mr. Mr. A. H. M. L. Abeyrathne, Commissioner General, DAD to deliver among farmers in areas where the CSIAP is being implemented.

The Direct Paddy Seeder given today is one of the revolutionary equipment that changed the face of sowing paddy seeds in wetland fields. It helps farmers to seed more efficiently and has plastic wheels that allow the seeder to float on the water Direct paddy drum seeder has eliminated the need of transplantation and hours of manual work which will literally break the back of the farmers involved in sowing the paddy seeds to the field. At one stretch with single operator effort, it covers 8 rows of 20 cm row to row spacing at a time. Made up of plastic material, which makes it easy to carry.

Additional Secretaries to the Ministry of Agriculture Mrs. Lathisha Liyanage and Mr. Pasan Rathnayake, the CSIAP Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, senior officials at the ministry, DAD and CSIAP participated in this event.

The WFM of the CSIAP between the World Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture

 The Way Forward Meeting (WFM) of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project was held between the World Bank Officials and the Ministry of Agriculture today (25^th)  at the Ministry via WebEx video conferencing. This was a part of the Virtual Technical Mission of the CSIAP  held from 20^th to 25the October 2021. On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, the WFM was chaired by Ms. Lathisha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development) to the Ministry. The World Bank Officials from the US, India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka and the CSIAP officials led by Project Director Eng. R. M.B. Rajakaruna attended this event.

The CSIAP launches a tree-planting campaign in Mullaitivu to save ecosystems

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) recently launched a tree-planting campaign in the Northern Province to promote eco-friendly practices and ensure a secure ecosystem for the future of Sri Lanka, in line with the government’s Sustainable Environmental Policy. Under this initiative, Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP in the Northern Province and his staff, planted 350 trees—including Mahogany, Mee, and Java Plum—alongside government officials and farmers on the side of Mullaitivu Main Road (A34), in front of the District Agriculture Training Center in Oddusuddan, Mullaitivu. 

The campaign aims to contribute to global reforestation efforts, restore lost forests, repair damaged ecosystems, and mitigate climate change. Repeated tree planting helps combat global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, storing carbon, and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. During the event, participants were also briefed on ongoing and upcoming activities under the CSIAP. The CSIAP plans to replicate this tree-planting programm in other areas where the project is being implemented, continuing its efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship across Sri Lanka. 

By S. Kesiga, Environmental Safeguard Officer, CSIAP, Northern Province

Implementing CS Model Village Programme and distributing inputs in the EP

The Deputy Project Director Office in  the Eastern Province of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) has implemented the Climate Smart Model Village Programme in the Pankulam ASC, Trincomalee District. This program is designed to demonstrate the importance of adopting Climate Smart Agriculture Practices  (CSA) when cultivating and the economic feasibility and environmental sustainability of adopting CSA practices. 

Under this Model Village programme, Jet Spray Systems, Sprinkler Systems, GI Pipes, Mango Plants and other inputs valued at Rs. 600,000.00 were distributed to  beneficiaries in the Morawewa ASC area by Mr. W.R. Jajath Kumara,Pradesa Saba Chairma, Morawewa. The Climate Smart Model Village Programme will be continued in the rest of the project area in the dry zones where the CSIAP is being implemented.

This programme was organized by the CSIAP's Deputy Project Director of the Eastern Province (EP) Dr. R. M. Ariyadasa and his staff. Agriculture Instructors of Pankulam division and farmers from Mahadivulwewa stage 1 Division   participated in this event.