The WB discusses the way forward in proposed activities for next 18th month

The World Bank Officials visited the Project Management Unit of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) this morning (14th) to discuss the way forward in proposed activities during the period of project extension from July 2024 to December 2025.

Representing the World Bank, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne, Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan and Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne attended this meeting. Eng. R. M. B. Rajakaruna, Project Director led the CSIAP team with Mr. R. P.M. Dissanayake, Deputy Project Director- Southern Province and subject-related specialists of the PM. Deputy Project Directors of North Western, North Central, Eastern, Northern and Uva provincial offices of the CSIAP joined the meeting via Webex.

The areas of focus would include:
CSA program
a. Agronomic improvements to be scaled up
b. New developments of farmer training school(s)
c. Proposed CSA Center at the MOAPI

Agribusiness and value chain development program
a. Brainstorming discussion on agribusiness and value chain development activities for identifying an innovative program
b. Possibility of getting international expert support

2. Institutional development and capacity building program
a. Next steps of CMP development and implementation
b. Progress of issuing a public administration circular and cabinet paper on CMCs
c. Workshops and awareness programs - Implementing Street dramas, organization of a workshop for DSs, National workshop for heads of institutions

3. Integrated water management in cascade systems and strengthening Fos
a. Prepare a combined training program by Water Resource Management and ID&CB teams and with the support of the other relevant PMU staff and government officers to strengthen the capacity of the FOs.

4. Digital agriculture developments and MIS
a. Next steps of MIS development
b. Utilization of MIS effectively for monitoring and project impact evaluation
c. Other areas of digital development

5. Other relevant matters
a. Amalgamation of Uva and Southern Province and organization of project activities in these provinces during the extension period; recruitment of vacant staff positions

This discussion is a continuation of the dialogue the World Bank started on actions agreed during the recent implementation support mission and the subsequent meeting the World Bank had with the CSIAP’s staff on the allocation of funds for respective project components.

Photograph by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP