Saturday, 5 November 2022

The World Bank Officials Visit Climate Smart Demonstration Village in Mullaitivu

 Showcasing Climate-Smart Agriculture at Community Level
The World Bank officials recently visited the Climate Smart Demonstration Village established in Keppapulavu village, located within the Mulliyawalai Agrarian Service Centre area of Mullaitivu District in the Northern Province. The visit aimed to observe firsthand how climate-smart agricultural practices are being implemented at village level under the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) and how these interventions are contributing to improved agricultural productivity and resilience.

Engagement with Farmer Producer Society to Strengthen Livelihoods
During the visit, the World Bank delegation engaged in discussions with the Keppapulavu Producer Society, which was formed under the CSIAP. The discussions focused on identifying additional support required to further enhance crop productivity, strengthen market linkages, and improve the livelihoods of farming families in the village. The Producer Society shared its experiences, challenges, and successes in adopting climate-smart technologies and practices.

The CSIAP Support Enables Sustainable Cultivation Practices
The CSIAP has extended comprehensive support to the Keppapulavu Producer Society by providing quality inputs, improved seed varieties, and continuous technical guidance. These interventions have enabled farmers to adopt sustainable cultivation practices, optimize water use, and improve yields, while enhancing resilience to climate variability.

High-Level World Bank Delegation Observes On-Ground Impact
The World Bank team was headed by Mr. Sheu Salau, Co–Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP, and included Mr. Seenithamby Manoharan, Consultant; Dr. Athula Senaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist representing the World Bank; along with Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director (Northern Province), and CSIAP subject specialists and officers. The delegation commended the progress achieved at the demonstration village and reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting climate-resilient agricultural development in Sri Lanka. 

Story by R. Sanjeepan (Institutional Development & Capacity Building Specialist), NP, CSIAP