The CSIAP rehabilitates 32 Agro Wells in Uva Province at the cost of Rs. 9.6m

Mrs. V.G Ramani of Andawelayaya and Mr. M.H. Charlis of Neluwagala look on their Agro Wells 

Farmer Ramani cultivates turmeric with water obtained from her Agro Well

The Deputy Project Director’s Office of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) for Uva Province is moving forward with plans to rehabilitate 32 dilapidated Agro Wells in Monaragala district under the first phase of the initiative. This project aims to enable farmers to cultivate other field crops, fruits, vegetables, and plantation crops throughout the year in the Buttala, Wellawaya, and Thelulla Agrarian Service Center areas.

Out of the 32 Agro Wells, rehabilitation work on 28 Agro Wells has already commenced, and 4 Agro Wells have been successfully completed. The programme is estimated to cost Rs. 9.6 million, with Rs. 4.44 million already disbursed to beneficiaries. Farmers receive a 50% contribution from the project, subject to a maximum limit of Rs. 300,000 per Agro Well which serves as a vital groundwater resource, helping farmers in Sri Lanka’s dry zones overcome challenges posed by water shortages. By rehabilitating these Agro Wells, the project ensures sustainable water availability for crop cultivation and supports year-round agricultural productivity in the province.

The Physical & Financial Progress Review Meeting commences at the PMU

A very special meeting to discuss the progress achieved up to 28th  Nov 2021  and financial & physical targets, which are expected to complete in Dec 2021, is being held at the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The CSIAP’s top officials including Provincial Deputy Directors, Subject Specialists attend this meeting which is chaired by the Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna.

The CSIAP Lifts Living Standards of Farmers through Climate-Smart Cultivation

Agriculture Specailist Ms. Gunawardena, providing field-level guidance to farmer Jinasiri

Farming is the main livelihood in Senapura village, located in the Weerawila Agriculture Service Center area of Hambantota. Mr. S. Jinasiri (67) is one of the farmers who depends on agriculture for his family’s income. Together with his wife and two sons, he cultivates chili, green gram, and sesame on his land. Prior to the intervention of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), his earnings were barely sufficient to meet the family’s daily needs. With the technical guidance and continuous support of the Deputy Project Director’s Office (Southern Province), Mr. Jinasiri was introduced to improved farming methods that helped transform his livelihood.

 Adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture
During the Yala season, Mr. Jinasiri adopted several Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies promoted by the CSIAP. These included crop diversification by introducing green gram into paddy lands, construction of soil contour bunds across his entire 10-acre field, and the creation of small plots between contour lines for rainwater harvesting. He also improved water-use efficiency through a sprinkler irrigation system and enhanced soil fertility by applying organic manure and mulching.

Empowering Farmers Through Expert Support
Agriculture Specialist Ms. G.C.A. Gunawardena of  the Deputy Director’s Office of the CSIAP in  Southern Provincial Office provided technical guidance on CSA practices, offered continuous encouragement to farmers adopting new technologies, and assisted them in overcoming challenges in production and management. Her active involvement helped build farmers’ confidence, strengthen their skills, and ensured that project interventions were implemented effectively at the field level.

Farmer Jinasiri preparing his land

Increasing Income through Improved Practices 
Under the Seed Production Village Programme of the CSIAP, Mr. Jinasiri cultivated green gram on 2 acres using seeds supplied by the CSIAP and produced 550 kg of quality seed. By selling the produce at Rs. 650 per kilogram, he earned Rs. 357,500, marking a significant increase in his farm income.
Encouraged by this success, he expanded his cultivation during the same season. With CSIAP support, he cultivated chili (variety KA2) on 0.25 acres, using his sprinkler irrigation system to maximize water efficiency. He now expects a harvest of 500 kg of green chilies, with an anticipated income of approximately Rs. 250,000.

Sustaining Gains in the Maha Season
In the Maha season 2021/2022, Mr. Jinasiri applied CSA practices to cultivate sesame (variety Uma) on 1 acre of land. He prepared the field using initial rains, relied entirely on rainwater, practiced Integrated Pest Management (IPM), constructed contour bunds to control soil erosion, implemented rainwater harvesting techniques, and maintained plant density through thinning. He expects a harvest of 350 kg of sesame, generating an income of around Rs. 175,000.
 
Building a Resilient Future
Through targeted interventions, the CSIAP continues to make agriculture more productive, sustainable, and climate-resilient, improving the livelihoods of farmers living in climate-vulnerable hotspot areas across the country.

The CSIAP rehabilitates 34 Agro Wells in Southern Province to boost the agriculture

 Farmer Mr. Sugathadasa used his Agro Well to cultivate paddy and chillies

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) begins to rehabilitate 34 Agro Wells in the Weerawila Agrarian Services Division of the Lunugamvehera Divisional Secretariat Division with the financial assistance of the World Bank. the Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP in Southern Province has already commenced rehabilitation works and the Estimated cost for this programme is Rs. 10.2 million. Farmer Mr. Sugathadasa who is in the picture used his Agro Well, which was rehabilitated by the CSIAP, to cultivate paddy and chilies in  01 acre land and the CSIAP provided  Rs. 300,000 for this.

The CSIAP schedules to rehabilitate 84 tanks in Hambantota estimated at Rs.156M

The rehabilitation works on the Ranawaranawa tank and canal system in the Weerawila Agrarian Service Division are now underway

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) schedules to rehabilitate 84 tanks in 22 selected Grama Niladhari Divisions of Lunugamvehera and Tissamaharama Divisional Secretariats in the Hambantota District at the cost of Rs 158 million.  Under this, rehabilitation work on 22 tanks began this year by the Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP in Southern Province. The World Bank provides financial assistance for this programme.

The rehabilitation works on the Ranawaranawa tank and canal system in the Weerawila Agrarian Service Division, which belongs to the Lunugamvehera Divisional Secretariat area, are now underway. The estimated value of this is Rs 15.6 million and it is expected to provide water to 40 farmers for cultivation in both Yala and Maha seasons.

CSIAP Provides 234 Farmers with 2,200 kg of Maize Seeds Valued at Rs. 2.17 M

Happy farmers proudly standing in their maize field

Amid the difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the farming community in Mahadiulwewa Agriculture Instructor Range (Segment D) of the Pannakulam Agrarian Service Centre Division, Trincomalee, has shown resilience by ensuring the production of maize in the Maha season 2021/22. The Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP in the Eastern Province provided 234 farmers, including 99 women farmers, with 2,200 kg of maize seeds worth Rs. 2,178,000 on a 75% concessionary basis. These seeds were cultivated on 440 acres across the region. The distribution was carried out through four Other Field Crops Produce Societies in Mahadiulwewa: Savipala, Ekamuthu, Miriswewa, and Rotawewa. 

This initiative demonstrates that high yields and efficiency in maize cultivation are achievable when technical guidance is properly applied, and inputs are managed accurately in time and space. Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of Sri Lanka’s most important annual cereal crops, serving as both a staple food and a source of income for farmers in CSIAP areas. The processing and consumption of maize vary across Sri Lanka, with maize flour and meal being the most popular products. Supporting maize cultivation not only strengthens food security but also enhances livelihood opportunities for rural farmers in the Eastern Province.

The CSIAP provides Rs: 45.6m for renovating 152 Argo wells in Eastern Province

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) commences renovating 152 Agro wells in Eastern Province at the cost of Rs. 45.6m.  Under this, 78 Agro wells in Trincomalee, 29 Agro wells in Batticaloa  and 45 Agro wells in Ampara will be renovated. The event of making payments for farmers to renovate their    Agro wells  was held at the Divisional Secretariate, Morawewa recently under the patronage of Hon. Kapila Nuwan Athukorala, Parlimentarian, and Chairman of District Coordinating Committee, Trincomalee District. 

The scarcity of water for the cultivation in the Yala season is a major issue of farmers in the hotspot areas of Eastern Province. Agro wells are one of the major solutions to overcome water shortage in the dry season and this was identified by CSIAP during the Participatory Rural Appraisal at the field level. Agro wells are provided with supplementary irrigation for Other Field Crops (OFC) cultivation in the Yala season. On the other hand, farmers of some area of the Eastern Province used to cultivate OFC by means of Agro well as a major water source throughout the year and they could go for high-value crops, especially to cultivate in the off-season which will lead to high income. This can also affect the price fluctuation of certain crops affecting positively to consumers.

 Mr. Saman Dharshana Pandikorala,Goventment Agent, Trincomalee, Mr. W.M.Bhathiya Vijayantha, Divisional Secretary, Morawewa, Mr. S.M.G.Samarakoon, Divisional Secretary, Gomarankadawala,  Mr. W.R.Jagath Kumara, Pradesa Saba Chairman, Morawewa, Mr. L.B Chandana Vijitha Kumara Pradesa Saba Chairman, Gomarankadawela, CSIAP officers and members of Farmer Organizations and beneficiaries of Agro wells  attended on this occasion.       

 Dr. R. M. Ariyadasa, the Deputy Project Director, Eastern Province of the CSIAP organized the above programme  with the support of Divisional Secretaries of Morewewa and Gomarankadawala. 

Constructions of the Farm Field School at a cost of Rs: 117m at Thirappane in NCP

Dr. Milinda Pathiraja expalins his design

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) under the Ministry of Agriculture commenced the preliminary work of constructing a Farm Field School (FFS) at Mannakkulama village of Thirappane in Anuradhapura District in this month. The proposed school will train farmers in 11 districts of the six provinces (North Western, North Central, Northern, Eastern, Uva and Southern Provinces) where the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project being implemented and provide them with experience in climate change farming practices and technology. The FFS will cost Rs. 117 million which is funded by the World Bank.

The 2700 selected male and female farmers, 150 Extension Staff of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Development will be direct beneficiaries of the FFS, which is designed to be environmentally friendly and adapt to the farming environment, said Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, the CSIAP Project Director. The FFS will be also used to provide training for marketing and value addition, subjects coming under the Agrarian Business School to prepare farmers as entrepreneurs and Farm planning, he further added.

The design of the Farm Field School

The FFS will provide short-term courses such as the Training of Trainers programme for the officials and a general training programme for the farmers. Those courses will cover Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices that can be applied in both Maha and Yala seasons in hot-spot areas, wetland paddy cultivation, upland cultivation, homestead cultivation and for the other field crops (OFCs). Dr. Milinda Pathiraja, who took over the architectural design of the Farm Field School, provides his services free of charge with his team.