The World Bank reviews the progress of the CSIAP in Eastern Province

A progress review meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in Eastern Province was held at the Agrarian Service Center in Uppuveli, Trincomalee today (30th) to assess the status of the CSIAP’s activities in the province. The World Bank Team led by Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader with Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne and Voice Secondee Ms. Sima Ramrattan from the Republic of Suriname attended this meeting to monitor the project's progress, identify any issues or challenges, and make necessary adjustments to ensure successful completion of the CSIAP. The frequency of this progress review meeting typically occurs regularly twice a year throughout the project lifecycle.

Dr. R.M. Ariyadasa, Provincial Deputy Project Director (Eastern Province) welcomed the World Bank Officials and Ms. K.Karthiga, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, presented the progress achieved so far by the Management Information System (MIS). Subject Specialists and Officers of the CSIAP were present in this meeting.

After the review meeting, the World Bank officials visited Thimbiriwewa in Mahadiulwewa to observe farmers using drum seeder which is a mechanized method of direct seeding, inspected Chili Cultivation and Solar powered Pump,  Chili Cultivation at Atha Bandiwewa in Morawewa and observed the rehabilitation process of Bellankadawala wewa inder Rambawa Cascade in Gomarankadawala.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP

The World Bank reviews the progress of the CSIAP in Uva Province

The Progress Review of the Climate Smart Agriculture Project (CSIAP)  in Uva Province was held at the Uva Provincial Office, Wellawaya on 25th this month to keep the World Bank informed about the project's status, addressing any issues promptly, and ensure that the project stays aligned with its objectives and timelines.

Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader Dr.  Sheu Salau led the World Bank Team which consisted of  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne and Voice Secondee Ms. Sima Ramrattan from the Republic of Suriname attended this meeting. Mr. D.M.L. Bandaranayake, Deputy Project Director (Uva Province) welcomed the World Bank Officials and the CSIAP Staff,  and presented the overall progress of the province. Subject Specialists and Subject Officers of Uva Province presented the progress of the project activities till April 2024 by MIS.

After the Progress Review Meeting, the World Bank Officials visited the work site of the Hingure Ara tank at Wagurawela in the Buththala to observe the rehabilitation process undertaken by the Hinguruara Shakthi Farmers’ Organization. The rehabilitation of the tank identified by the Parappuwa Cascade Management Committee costs Re. 2.20 million. Members of Hinguruara Shakthi Farmers’ Organization had an opportunity to discuss the work done in the tank with the World Bank Team.

The World Bank Team observed the rehabilitation of the Udarawewa tank in the Buttala and discussed the rehabilitation process of it with farmers and officials of the Department of Agrarian Development (DAD). Officials of the CSIAP in Uva Province pointed out if the farmers could cultivate in the Intermediate Season, cropping intensity under this tank would increase up to 300% which will contribute the economy of the country.

The World Bank team inspected Water Melon Cultivation using insect-proof nets and drip irrigation facilities including Solar Powered Water Pump at Neluwagala in Wellawaya. A Framer Mr. Ariyadasa explained that he managed to make a profit of Rs 600,000.00 from Chillie Cultivation in the insect-proof net with drip irrigation during Maha 2023/24.  Mr.Ariyadasa uses a Solar Powered Water Pump given by CSIAP to irrigate his farm.

Solar Powered Electric Fences erected at 18 Yaya in the Thelulla were inspected by the World Bank.   The land size of 20.8 ha for 25 farmers to cultivate paddy is covered with these fences during this Yala season. The total length of the fence is 2.596 km and farmers insisted that they had not faced crop damages done by wild elephants during the last maha (2022/23) due to these electric fences which cost Rs. 1.298 million with Rs 4.5 million worth of labour.

Finally, the World Bank Officials visited the Chili Cultivation field at Thelulla, which belongs to Farmer Mr. Meththananda, is used with insect insect-proof net, poly mulch and drip irrigation system provided by CSIAP during Yala 2023. The farmer stated that he was able to earn around Rs. 2 million as profit from Chili and Water Melon with the use of equipment provided by the project.   

The World Bank reviews the progress of the CSIAP in North Central Province

The World Bank undertakes a comprehensive review of the activities of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in North Central Province to assess the CSIAP’s progress, impact, and effectiveness in addressing the provincial development challenges, on the other hand, it plays a crucial role in ensuring that projects stay on track, issues are addressed promptly, and stakeholders remain informed and engaged.

The World Bank Team headed by Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne, Water Management Specialist Ms. Thiruni Liyanage and  Voice Secondee Ms. Sima Ramrattan from the Republic of Suriname attended the Progress Review Meeting held in the conference hall of Sungreen Resort at Habarana today(29th).

Mr. H. M. P. Bandara, Deputy Project Director (North Central) welcomed the World Bank Officials, and Subject Specialists and Officers of the Deputy Director's Office in North Central Province presented the progress achieved so far by the Management Information System (MIS).  

This time the World Bank chose Polonnaruwa District to observe the CSIAP activities in Hingurakgoda. During this tour, the World Bank officials witnessed the rehabilitation process of Morgagaswewa Cascade, attended the Upperyanoya Cascade Management Committee Meeting at Moragaswewa in  Hingurakgoda, visited Capsicum Cultivation under the rain shelter at Mahasengama, Naimiris Cultivation at Irigeoya and Green Gram Cultivation at Nawagama.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP

The World Bank reviews the progress of the CSIAP in Southern Province

The Progress Review of the Climate Smart Agriculture Project (CSIAP) conducted by the World Bank commenced in Southern & Uva provinces and will continue in North Central and Eastern provinces. This progress review is a structured evaluation or assessment of the advancement and performance of the CSIAP.  It serves as a checkpoint to gauge how well the CSIAP is proceeding in terms of achieving its objectives, adhering to timelines, managing resources, addressing challenges or obstacles and contributing to their intended outcomes. These progress reviews are conducted periodically throughout the project to ensure that it stays on track and identify any areas requiring adjustments or interventions.

The World Bank Team led by Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne and  Voice Secondee Ms. Sima Ramrattan from the Republic of Suriname conduct progress reviews typically through meetings and field visits involving Project Staff, Government Officials, Farmers and other relevant parties. The aim is to foster transparency, accountability, and collaboration, ultimately ensuring the successful execution and completion of the project.

Inaugurating the Progress Review of Southern Province Mr. R.P. M. Dissanayake, Deputy Project Director (Southern Province) welcomed the World Bank Officials at the Administrative Complex in Hambantota yesterday (26th). He presented the progress achieved so far by the Management Information System (MIS). Subject Specialists and Officers of the CSIAP were present in this meeting.

During the Southern tour, the World Bank officials observed the rehabilitation process of Baminiyawa Tank and had a meeting with farmers, attended the meeting of Cascade Management Committee in Divisional Secretariate at  Thissamaharama, visited Chili Cultivation at Kawanthissapura, had Water Management Meeting with farmers at  Punchiappu Jadura and awarded certificates to framers who followed programs at the Farmer Business School at Julpallama.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP

The Pre-Mission Meeting discusses the CSIAP’s restructure and future programmes

A pre-mission meeting to discuss the CSIAP’s restructuring process and programmes to be implemented after the period of the CSIAP’s extension was held with officials of Agriculture and Plantation Industries (MoAPI), the World Bank and the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) this morning (02^nd) at the MoAPI.

This meeting was chaired by Mr. Janaka Dharmakeerthi, Secretary with Ms. Latheesha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development),  Ms. Anuradha Dharmasena, Director,  (Development)  of the MoAPI. On behalf of the World Bank  Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne and Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist were also present. Representing the CSIAP led by the Deputy Project Director Mr. H.M.P. Bandara, Provincial Deputy Project Directors, Subject Specialists and Engineers attended this meeting too.