Two-Day Workshop on Formulating the Cascade Management Plan

A two-day workshop on formulating the Cascade Management Plan commenced yesterday (20th) at the National Institute of Plantation Management (NIPM). Organized by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), the workshop aims to formulate 60 Cascade Management Plans. These plans represent a structured strategic planning and implementation approach, where high-level goals and objectives are systematically translated into specific, actionable activities to be implemented by various stakeholders involved with the CSIAP.

Cascade Management Planning Approach
The Cascade Management Plan follows a top-down strategic framework, in which the Cascade Management Committee (CMC) sets the overall vision and strategic objectives. These objectives are then cascaded down to divisions, departments, farmer societies, and individuals, ensuring consistency and coherence across all levels of implementation. This approach enables effective communication of strategic goals, promotes accountability, and ensures coordinated action among stakeholders working towards the successful achievement of the CMC’s overall strategy.

 Technical Inputs from World Bank Experts
The workshop commenced with Eng. R. M. B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, of the CSIAP welcoming the participants and outlining the objectives of the programme. Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank, delivered a lecture on the importance of cascade management for the CSIAP, highlighting its role in enhancing water and land resource governance. In addition, Mr. S. Manoharan, Senior Consultant of the World Bank, presented on integrated watershed management and climate-smart agriculture, emphasizing their relevance to sustainable cascade systems.

 Interactive Sessions and Group Activities
Serving as a key resource person, Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne, Consultant to the World Bank, facilitated interactive group activities while delivering sessions on aligning participant expectations, the workshop methodology and expected outcomes, and the template for the Cascade Management Plan.

Participation and Institutional Representation
The workshop brought together specialists and officers from the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Provincial Offices of the CSIAP, fostering cross-level collaboration and shared understanding. 

A workshop on Hydrological Studies Using Software Applications for Uva

The third workshop of the workshop series was conducted for engineering and technical staff of the Provincial Irrigation Department, Department of Agrarian Development, Department of Irrigation and Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP in Uva Province at the Uva Management Development Institute, Pelgahatenna recently by the Design Cell of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The purpose of the workshop was to equip Sri Lankan engineers with knowledge and skills to use software related to Hydrological Studies and to transfer the knowledge gained by the Design Cell of CSIAP to Implementing Agencies and other authorities related to the Irrigation sector.

This workshop, which was held in two sessions per week, was initiated under the instructions of  Eng R.M.B. Rajakauruna, Project Director, CSIAP and guidance of the Senior Engineering Consultant Eng H.G.M.Kulasinghe.  Project Engineering Consultants Eng R.M.H.N Bandara and Eng P.H.S. Rangika made their contribution to the workshop as resource persons along with Eng. B.D.M.S.B Dissanayake. Senior Technical Officer Mr. D.B.U.Withana organized and coordinated the workshop under the guidance and directions of the Water Resource Development Specialist Eng R.M. Jinadasa and Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP in  Uva Province Mr. D.M.L. Bandaranayaka. Certificates of Participation were awarded to participants.

A progress review meeting of the CSIAP between the World Bank and MoA

World Bank Officials met Mr. Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture to assess the progress of the CSIAP made during the mission, evaluate the achieved outcomes, and discuss any ongoing and future tasks recently. Before this meeting, World Bank Officials were on an observation tour in North Central and Eastern Province to review the CSIAP's progress. Afterwards, they visited the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the CSIAP to review the progress. Dr. Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader along with Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne and Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank attended this meeting. Ms. Lathisha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development), Ms. Renuka Rathnayaka, Director (Development) and Ms. Pramushka Withanage, Director (IT) of the Ministry of Agriculture. Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna and senior staff of the CSIAP were present. Please click Images to see more photos of the meeting.

The World Bank reviews the progress of the CSIAP

World Bank Officials had an overall review of the project’s progress with the Project Management Unit (PMU). Subject Specialists presented reports on the current status of each subject after observing the CSIAP’s progress in North Central and Eastern provinces. .  Dr. Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader lead the World Bank Team with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne and Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist. Project Director Eng. R.M.b. Rajakaruna, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandaraand senior staff of the CSIAP were present. Please click Images to see more photos of the meeting.

World Bank Officials review the progress of the CSIAP in Eastern Province

 

Dr. Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader along with Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne and Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank supervised the rehabilitation of tanks, Crop Cultivation, Home Gardens, constructions of Agrowells during the Progress Review Meeting in the Eastern Province. Members of a Cascade Management Committee and Farmer Organization in Trincomalee had an opportunity to meet world bank officials too. Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara, Dr. R.M. Ariyadasa, Deputy Project Director (EP) and senior staff of the CSIAP were present.

The Progress Review Meeting of the CSIAP in Eastern Province by MIS

The Progress Review Meeting, which was a scheduled gathering where project stakeholders, come together to assess the status and advancement of activities of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in Eastern Province (EP), was held in the office of the Chief Secretary with  World Bank Officials in Eastern Province recently.  The purpose of this meeting is to evaluate the progress made, discuss any challenges encountered, and determine the next steps to ensure the project stays on track towards its goals. 

The speciality of this meeting is, for the first time ever, the CSIAP presented its provincial progress and operation by Management Information System (MIS ) which allows the CSIAP to have access to accurate data and powerful analytical tools to identify problems, and opportunities quickly and make decisions about its operations accordingly. On behalf of the CSIAP, MIS was designed by a leading software solution provider Celata Tech (Pvt )Ltd. Mr. R M P S Rathnayake, Chief Secretary, EP chaired this meeting. Ms. K.Karthiga, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, presented the progress achieved in the province by MIS. 

Representing the World Bank,  Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader attended this meeting with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant and Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne of the World Bank. Senior Officials of implementing agencies, Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara, Dr. R.M. Ariyadasa, Deputy Project Director (EP) and senior staff of the CSIAP were present.

Visiting FTS and meeting members of CMC in NCP by World Bank Officials

During the Progress Review Meeting in the North Central Province, the team of World Bank led by  Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader along with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne and Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank visited Farmer Training School (FTS) at Thirappane to see its current progress. They also engaged in a pleasant conversation with the farmers who were on a three-day residential programme to find out their views on the FTS.

World Bank Officials also participated in the meeting of the Cascade Management Committee (CMC) held at the National Institute of Post Harvest Management (NIPHM). Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara, Mr. S.M. Seelarathna, Deputy Project Director (NCP) and senior staff of the CSIAP were present. 

The Progress Review Meeting of the CSIAP in the North Central Province held

The Progress Review Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in the North Central Province (NCP) was held with the participation of the World Bank officials in the office of the Chief Secretary in the NCP recently. This meeting, which has been chaired by Mr. L.J.M.G.Chandrasiri Bandara, Chief Secretary, NCP, was held to assess the status and advancement of the CSIAP’s activities in the province and to discuss achievements, challenges, and next steps. The World Bank Officials visit every province once in six months to collaborate with others, stay aligned with the project goals, receive feedback, contribute to decision-making, and address challenges effectively.

The World Bank Team headed by Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader attended this meeting with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne and Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank. Senior Officials of implementing agencies, Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara, Mr. S.M. Seelarathna, Deputy Project Director (NCP) and senior staff of the CSIAP were present. 

Youth Agri Entrepreneurship Model Villages Programme in Southern by the CSIAP

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Projector or the CSIAP  is investing Rs. 559 million to develop Kavantissapura and Julpallam villages located in Yodhakandiya Agriculture Service Center area of Hambantota as agricultural model villages. The CSIAP aims to develop these villages in tandem with the Youth Agri Entrepreneurship Model Villages Programme implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture. Agricultural inputs including seeds, micro-irrigation systems, insect-proof nets, polytunnels, and water pumps worth Rs. 40 million have been provided to these villages where there are about 4979 beneficiary farmers. The program to develop these two villages as model villages were declared opened by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, the Minister of Agriculture,  on 10^th this month in Kavanthissapura and Julpallam.

Under this model village programme, it plans to modernize agriculture, attract youth to agriculture, improve the living conditions of beneficiary farmers, promote climate smart agriculture technology, exchange experiences among beneficiary farmers and promote climate smart home gardens. Apart from this, the CSIAP takes the initiative to  support crops such as mangoes, oranges, papayas, pomegranates and wood apples, as well as flowers, mushrooms, chilies, capsicum and vegetables identified by the Participatory Rural Approach (PRA) which was carried out with the participation of the beneficiary farmers.

 Also, the CSIAP plans to rehabilitate tanks, agricultural roads, common & individual agro wells, and provide micro-irrigation systems, water pumps operated using solar panels, water motors operated by electricity and fuel, rainwater tanks to collect water for home gardens, polythene bags and seeds for home gardening. Cultivation in polytunnel, floriculture targeting sacred places and crop cultivation with micro irrigation in insect-proof nets will also be promoted. Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara,  Deputy Project Director (Southern) Mr. Mahinda Suwandaarachchi, Specialists and Officers of the CSIAP were present in the programme which was organized by the  Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, CSIAP & Pathum Rasanjan, Ministry of Agriculture