The CSIAP obtained clearance to rehabilitate another 63 tanks in the forest areas

Rehabilitating water tanks in forested areas is not just an environmental initiative, but a vital step in preserving ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and providing essential resources to farming communities in areas where the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is being implemented. Water tanks, or traditional reservoirs, have been historically used for water storage, agricultural purposes, and wildlife sustenance in Sri Lanka. However, as these tanks age, sedimentation, structural degradation, and neglect can render them ineffective. Rehabilitating these tanks by the CSIAP offers numerous ecological, social, and economic benefits.

The CSIAP takes the initiative to rehabilitate 33 tanks inside the forest area and another 30 tanks within 300 meters of the forest reservation in its project area too. To obtain clearance from the Department of Forest Conservation to rehabilitate the above tanks, a high-level workshop led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources along with the CSIAP and the Department of Forest Conservation was held today (27^th) at Hotel Kamrel in Kurunegala.

Benefits of tanks to be rehabilitated in the Forest Areas
1. Enhanced Water Availability:  A rehabilitated tank provides a reliable water source for both wildlife and surrounding farming communities. This can improve agricultural productivity, especially for forest-dependent communities, and ensure the health of local ecosystems.

2. Biodiversity Conservation: By restoring water sources in forest areas, the rehabilitated tanks help conserve biodiversity by providing habitats for aquatic species and drinking water for land-based wildlife.

3. Reduction in Human-Wildlife Conflicts: With access to clean water, wildlife is less likely to venture into human settlements, thereby reducing conflict and ensuring both human and animal safety.

4. Climate Resilience: Properly maintained water tanks contribute to the resilience of forest ecosystems in the face of climate change. By storing water and recharging groundwater, these tanks buffer ecosystems against drought and other climate-induced stresses.

Rehabilitating tanks in forest areas is an environmentally sound and socially beneficial practice that aligns with conservation efforts and sustainable development. The restored water bodies not only support forest health but also provide essential resources to the wildlife and farming communities that depend on them. Effective rehabilitation projects require collaboration between forest conservation management authorities, environmental organizations, and local farming communities to ensure the long-term preservation of these valuable resources. For this purpose, the CSIAP gathered all relevant parties to achieve the main objectives.

Ms. Anuradha Dharmasena, Director, (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources chaired the table and Mr. M.A.A.M. Jayarathne, Additional Forest Conservator General, Mr. Sumithra Gunathilaka, Forest Conservator, Mr. Wasantha Gajanayake, Forest Conservator, Mr. G. R. P.B. Senarathne, Forest Conservator, Ms. Devani Jayathilaka, Assistant Forest Conservator and forest officers representing 11 districts of six provinces in project areas attended this workshop.  The CSIAP team is headed by Project Director Eng. R. M. B. Rajakaruna with Deputy Project Directors, Subject Specialists, Environmental Safeguard Officers and Social Safeguard Officers.  Dr. Janaka Jayawardena, Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist of the CSIAP organized this programme. 

MoAPI reviews the current progress of the CSIAP

The Progress Review Meeting to assess the current status and performance of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) and ensure that the project remains on track and any obstacles are addressed early to prevent delays was held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries (MoAPI) yesterday (19th).  This meeting was chaired by Mr. Janaka Dharmakeerthi, Secretary with Ms. Latheesha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development),  Ms. Anuradha Dharmasena, Director,  (Development)  of the MoAPI.  The CSIAP team including Provincial Deputy Project Directors and Subject Specialists at the Project Management Unit was led by  Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna.

A glimpse of the CSIAP's progress upto August 2024

The CSIAP takes initiatives export high-quality Banana to Middle East markets

Banana is one of the most important fruit crops in the world and Banana cultivation has been expanding globally due to its higher demand and market value. To enhance the Banana productivity, farmers in Hotspot areas, where the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is being implemented,  have been practising novel Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques such as Micro Irrigation to combat the impact of climate change.

The objective of the Banana Project: This Banana cultivation program aims to produce high-quality bananas that meet international standards to satisfy the demand of the export market, using high-tech CSA Agronomic practices, and adapting farmers for climate change impact.

Implementation arrangements
Project location: The project is being implemented in Rambe ASC Division at Niyadawanaya GND, within the Pothuwapitiya cascade in Kurunegala District.

Beneficiary selection and implementation: A farmer group with 20 members (each farmer owns ½ Ac land) are involved for this program. The farmer selection has been carried out by considering the factors such as land availability, water availability and the farmers willingness to adopt new CSA technics and share those technics among the other farmers in the village. A Producer Society is formed with the involvement of these farmers to ensure equal benefit distribution and Market Linkage development

CSA Agronomic Intervention established: Since this area exists within the climate change-affected Hotspot area, the prominent CSA strategies have been adopted as follows to ensure the success of this program despite the climate change impact.

1)    The main climate change impact for this area is prolonged drought. Hence, we have selected the Cavendish banana variety, which is a drought tolerant crop compared to other banana varieties, recommended for the dry zone.

2)    To ensure the optimum soil moisture usage and minimize the soil water evaporation here, farmers have followed the high-density planting method by accommodating 750 Banana plants per Acre. The planting spacing is 1.5 x 1.5 meters within rows and 4 meters in between within 2 rows. Also promoted the intercropping within Banana plants during the growing stage.

3)    To increase the soil moisture retention and provide micronutrients for the plants, farmers were encouraged to apply 20 Kg of organic manure with Paddy husk charcoal to the planting pit at the time of planting.

4)    To overcome the water scarcity during the drought season, have introduced the Microjet irrigation system with fertigation.

5)    To improve the Banana quality and protect the Banana bunch from pest and disease attacks, promote covering the bunch with a white polythene layer.

Contribution to the Banana Project: This project is carried out as a joint venture, with the contribution of all 03 parties as follows.

1)    The CSIAP contributes to initiating this program, selecting potential farmers and forming them as Producer Society and arrange farmer training programs and exposure visit for the capacity building of farmers.

2)    In addition, the CSIAP assists farmers in carrying out compost production programmes and provides a microjet irrigation system for all farmers to productively utilize available limited water resources.

3)    The beneficiary farmers make their contribution by providing Agri inputs, planting materials and labour.

4)    The DOA offered their contribution by providing technical knowledge on Cavendish banana cultivation and arranging exposure visits to observe the Banana plantation and processing units operating for export purposes.

Marketing arrangements: The CSIAP officers in NWP link a Banana buyer called S.R.Bio Foods Products (Pvt) Ltd. He exports the Cavendish banana to Middle East Markets in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Meantime, CSIAP arranged to sign a tri-party buyback agreement with the buyer for the period of 05 years by stating the minimum purchasing prices for grade 01 and grade 02 Banana yield.

Anticipated production & income: The economic lifespan of the banana plants is considered as 03 years. Hence, a farmer could be able to receive production, income and profit during 03 years period from this Banana cultivation as follows.

Conclusion: When considering the production pattern and income details, it is explicit that one farmer can receive Rs. 405,533 average annual profit from his ½ Ac Banana cultivation up to 03 years. Hence, it is convinced that this is a substantial income for a smallholder farmer living in Niyadawanaya area and it leads to improving the living standards of these farmers sustainably.

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project, a World Bank-funded project, is implemented under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture & Plantation Industries (MOA & PI). The main objective of the project is to increase farm & water productivity and build the resilience of the climate change-affected farmers in Hotspot areas. The project is implemented in 11 Hotspot areas in 06 Provinces covering 09 River basins

By Frank Jayasinghe, Climate Smart Agriculture Specialist, PMU, CSIAP