The CSIAP Secures Clearance to Rehabilitate 63 Water Tanks in Forest Areas

Strengthening Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience
Rehabilitating water tanks in forested areas is not merely an environmental intervention but a critical strategy for preserving ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, and supporting farming communities in regions where the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is being implemented. In Sri Lanka, traditional water tanks have historically played a vital role in water storage, agriculture, and sustaining wildlife. Over time, however, sedimentation, structural deterioration, and neglect have reduced the functionality of many of these tanks.

Recognizing their ecological and socio-economic importance, the CSIAP has initiated a programme to rehabilitate 33 water tanks located within forest areas and an additional 30 tanks situated within 300 metres of forest reservations across the project area. These interventions aim to restore water availability while ensuring harmony between conservation objectives and community needs.

High-Level Inter-Agency Coordination Workshop
To obtain the necessary clearance from the Department of Forest Conservation for the rehabilitation of these tanks, a high-level coordination workshop was held on 27th at Hotel Kamrel, Kurunegala. The workshop was jointly led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the CSIAP, and the Department of Forest Conservation.

The workshop served as a platform to align institutional perspectives, address environmental safeguards, and ensure that tank rehabilitation activities are carried out in compliance with forest conservation regulations while maximizing ecological and community benefits.

Key Benefits of Rehabilitating Tanks in Forest Areas
1. Enhanced Water Availability
Rehabilitated tanks provide reliable water sources for wildlife as well as surrounding farming communities. This contributes to improved agricultural productivity, particularly for forest-dependent communities, while supporting the overall health of local ecosystems.
2. Biodiversity Conservation
Restored water bodies create habitats for aquatic species and provide essential drinking water for terrestrial wildlife, thereby strengthening biodiversity conservation within forest landscapes.
3. Reduction of Human–Wildlife Conflict
By ensuring adequate water availability within forest areas, wildlife is less likely to migrate into human settlements in search of water. This significantly reduces human–wildlife conflict and enhances safety for both communities and animals.
4. Climate Resilience
Well-maintained water tanks enhance the resilience of forest ecosystems against climate change impacts. By storing rainwater and recharging groundwater, these tanks act as buffers during droughts and other climate-induced stresses. 
 
Collaborative Approach for Sustainable Outcomes
Rehabilitating tanks in forest areas is an environmentally sound and socially beneficial practice that aligns with national conservation priorities and sustainable development goals. The success of such initiatives depends on effective collaboration among forest conservation authorities, environmental experts, and local farming communities. In this regard, the CSIAP has taken proactive steps to bring all relevant stakeholders together to ensure long-term sustainability and shared ownership of outcomes.
Participation and Leadership.

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 workshop was chaired by Ms. Anuradha Dharmasena, Director (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Participants included Mr. M.A.A.M. Jayarathne, Additional Forest Conservator General, along with Forest Conservator, Mr. G. R. P.B. Senarathne, Forest Conservator, Ms. Devani Jayathilaka, Assistant Forest Conservator and forest officers and forest officers representing 11 districts across six provinces within the project area.
 
The CSIAP team was led by Project Director Eng. R. M. B. Rajakaruna, supported by Deputy Project Directors, Subject Specialists, Environmental Safeguard Officers, and Social Safeguard Officers. The programme was organised by Dr. Janaka Jayawardena, Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist of the CSIAP. 

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 Initiates High-Quality Banana Exports 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