The CSIAP contributes to the Climate Action Symposium (CAS) 2025 in Colombo

 
The Climate Action Symposium (CAS) 2025 is organized under the theme “Integrated Resource Management for Climate Resilience: Transforming Communities and Shaping Policies” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, in collaboration with the Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP) and UNDP Sri Lanka. The symposium aims to provide a collaborative platform for professionals, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners committed to advancing water and climate resilience. It commences today (30th) and tomorrow (01st Oct) at Shangri-La, Colombo.

From the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in the Northern Province, Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director, along with his team, submitted a research paper titled “Effect of Gypsum and Fish Tonic Application on Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) Yield in Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka.” The paper, submitted under the theme “Climate-Smart Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges,” has been accepted and will be presented during the Technical Presentation Sessions on the second day of the symposium. 

These Technical Paper Presentation Sessions will showcase innovative research findings, field-based evidence, and case studies that contribute to strengthening climate resilience across diverse sectors. A major highlight of the second day will focus on “Community Engagement and Empowerment in Climate Adaptation”—underscoring the pivotal role of vulnerable communities in enhancing resilience, shaping inclusive policies, and advancing grassroots-driven climate action.

Turning Farmers into Exporters: Cavendish Cultivation Blooms in Niyadawanaya

Well-grown Cavendish bananas in Niyandawanaya village

For generations, the farming families of Niyadawanaya in the Rambe Agrarian Service Division cultivated traditional crops, earning just enough to get by. Commercial agriculture was far from their imagination—until a group of determined farmers, guided by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), decided to take a bold step. Today, they are cultivating 12 acres of Cavendish banana destined for international markets.   

Farmers are getting bananas ready for the buyer

Changing  Mindsets 
At the heart of this transformation is Ms. Imesha Disanayake, the Agriculture Facilitator of CSIAP for North Western Province, based in Rambe. She saw the untapped potential of the village and believed the farmers could  achieve far more. With patient guidance, continuous awareness sessions, and tireless encouragement, she inspired the community to move away from low-income traditional crops and embrace Cavendish banana cultivation for export. Her efforts were not only motivational but also practical. Through CSIAP, farmers received a micro-irrigation system, solar pump, and even an exposure visit to CIC Farm in Dambulla to learn the technical know-how of banana farming. Slowly but steadily, farmers began to see themselves not just as cultivators—but as future exporters.     

Strong Partnerships  

Imesha is looking at her success

No great change happens alone. Mr. Indika Karunarathna, Agriculture Instructor of Rambe, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ms. Disanayake, offering technical guidance and hands-on support to ensure farmers had the expertise to succeed. Together, they provided the knowledge and confidence the farmers needed to embark on this new journey. Yet, the road to commercial farming came with hurdles. The main one among them was the lack of initial capital. To solve this, Ms. Disanayake personally approached DFCC Bank in Ibbagamuwa. After presenting the potential of the project, she convinced the bank to release loans of Rs. 300,000 per farmer at a 6.5% annual interest rate, with repayments beginning 10 months after harvesting. This tailor-made financing solution gave the farmers the lifeline they needed.

Securing the Market 
Production is only half the story—marketing is the key to success. Understanding this, Ms. Disanayake reached out to SR BIO FOOD Company, ensuring a guaranteed market for the farmers. The company committed to purchasing 5,000 kilograms of Cavendish banana every week for the next five years, with experts visiting the village to train farmers on meeting export standards. In addition, CIC Company stepped in to buy any surplus harvest, making sure no fruit went to waste. With secure buyers in place, farmers could focus on cultivation without the fear of losing their produce. Beyond production and marketing, Ms. Disanayake also worked to strengthen the business and financial management skills of the farmers, ensuring long-term sustainability of their commercial farming venture.  

The CSIAP Supports Farmers to Achieve Rs. 110.5 Million in Five Years
Because of the dedicated support provided by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) under the leadership of Ms. Disanayake, the farmers in Niyandawanaya are now able to earn an impressive income of approximately Rs. 425,000 per week through the sale of Cavendish bananas to SR BIO FOOD Company. This translates into an annual income of around Rs. 22.1 million for the community, and if sustained over a five-year period, their cumulative earnings could reach as high as Rs. 110.5 million. This remarkable achievement not only demonstrates the profitability of climate-smart agricultural practices but also highlights the transformative impact of the CSIAP in strengthening farmer livelihoods and securing long-term economic resilience.

Imesha, Indika, fellow Agriculture Facilitators and  farmers

Beyond Farming
The success of Niyadawanaya farmers goes beyond bananas. This initiative has given them not just a new crop, but a new identity—as commercial farmers and contributors to Sri Lanka’s agricultural exports. The increased income is already uplifting their families’ living standards, while also inspiring neighboring communities to think bigger.  

A Shared Triumph 
The journey of Cavendish banana cultivation in Niyadawanaya is a powerful example of how vision, dedication, and teamwork can transform lives. The CSIAP sincerely recognizes and appreciates the tireless efforts of Ms. Disanayake and Mr. Karunarathna, whose commitment and hands-on involvement have been instrumental in uplifting the farming community of Niyadawanaya. Their dedication exemplifies the CSIAP’s mission of transforming smallholder farmers into successful commercial producers, improving livelihoods while building resilience to climate change. Ms.  Disanayake’s effort,  backed by CSIAP’s resources and partnerships, has turned a small farming community into an inspiring success story. 

As rows of bright green Cavendish banana plants sway under the Niyadawanaya sun, they stand as a symbol of hope—not only for the farmers who now dream bigger but also for Sri Lanka’s future in climate-smart, export-oriented agriculture.

By Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP

Comprehensive Workshop on Financial and Accounting Strengthening of the CSIAP

A dedicated workshop focusing on the financial and accounting strengthening of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) was successfully held this morning (04th) at the Mahagedara Hotel in Kurunegala. The session was conducted under the distinguished patronage of Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of the CSIAP, underscoring the project’s ongoing commitment to robust financial governance and administrative transparency.

This timely initiative aimed to enhance the financial management capacity of key provincial-level staff, improve internal control systems, and ensure adherence to financial compliance standards required for large-scale, donor-funded development projects. The workshop was attended by Provincial Deputy Project Directors and accountants from across the CSIAP’s operational provinces, all of whom play critical roles in managing financial resources effectively at the regional level.

The workshop was led by Mr. W. G. N. Abeywickrama, Financial Management Specialist, and Mr. Sarath Perera, Internal Auditor of the CSIAP, who together conducted a comprehensive and interactive session covering a wide range of essential financial topics. These included: Best practices in project accounting, financial reporting and documentation standards, Budget utilization and variance analysis, Internal audit processes, Compliance with government and donor financial guidelines and Risk management in financial operations.

Mr. Abeywickrama emphasised the importance of maintaining accurate and timely financial records, promoting transparency, and fostering a culture of accountability at every level of project implementation, noting that these are fundamental pillars for the long-term success of the CSIAP.

Mr. Perera stated, “Strong financial management systems are not only essential for maintaining compliance, but they also directly contribute to the achievement of project objectives by enabling timely decision-making, minimizing wastage, and ensuring funds are used where they are needed most. By strengthening financial capabilities at the provincial level, we are building the foundation for sustainability and institutional integrity.”

The workshop was facilitated by Mr. H. M. P. Bandara, Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP in the Northwestern Province, along with his project staff, who played a key role in organizing and coordinating the event. Their contribution ensured that the logistical and administrative arrangements were executed smoothly, allowing participants to fully engage with the workshop content. In addition to provincial participants, the workshop also saw the active participation of specialists and officers from the Project Management Unit (PMU). Their presence reflected the integrated and collaborative approach the CSIAP adopts in strengthening institutional capacities across its management hierarchy.

By bringing together stakeholders from various levels of the project, the workshop created a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and problem-solving in relation to financial management challenges. Participants also had the opportunity to discuss real-life case studies, share provincial-level experiences, and explore innovative solutions to streamline accounting practices.

This workshop forms part of the CSIAP’s broader strategy to build institutional resilience, enhance fiduciary performance, and ensure the sustainability of financial systems throughout the project's lifecycle.