A strategic meeting aimed at advancing Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) training and capacity-building initiatives was held this morning at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation (MALLI). The session focused on creating greater awareness about the proposed Climate Smart Agriculture Center (CSAC) and implementing National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 1 to 4 training programs in Climate Smart Agriculture. Chaired by Dr. W. M. U. K. Rathnayake, Additional Secretary (Agri Technology) of MALLI, the meeting brought together key stakeholders, including senior officials from the World Bank, the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), and relevant divisions of MALLI.
Key Highlights of the Meeting:
CSAC Development and Role: The meeting emphasized the importance of establishing the CSAC as a central hub
for promoting climate-smart agricultural practices and delivering structured
vocational training to farmers. The CSAC will operate under the Agri Technology
Division of MALLI and serve as a knowledge and innovation center to build
resilience in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.
Support from CSIAP and the World Bank: The CSIAP is providing financial and technical assistance to establish and
operate the CSAC throughout the project period. The World Bank, as a
development partner, reaffirmed its continued support for capacity-building
efforts aligned with climate adaptation and smart irrigation practices.
NVQ Training Workshops at Thirappane: The plan to conduct a series of workshops delivering NVQ Level 1–4 certified
training in Climate Smart Agriculture at the Climate Smart Agriculture School
in Thirappane was a key point of discussion. The success and outcomes of the initial
pilot workshop were reviewed, and strategies to expand and improve future
training programs were deliberated.
Future Plans and Coordination: Participants discussed logistical requirements, curriculum design, trainer
capacity, assessment mechanisms, and institutional collaboration needed to
implement a comprehensive NVQ-aligned CSA training framework. Steps to prepare
for upcoming workshops, including resource mobilization and stakeholder
engagement, were also outlined.
Outcome:
The meeting concluded with consensus on strengthening
inter-agency coordination and mobilizing necessary resources to accelerate the
operationalization of the CSAC. It was acknowledged that the integration of
vocational training into climate-resilient agricultural strategies is vital for
equipping rural communities with the knowledge and skills to adapt to climate
change.
Photograph by K. D. H. D. Karunathilake, MALLI
