The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) recently participated in a series of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions held in Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, and Kurunegala. These events were organised in parallel with World Tourism Day celebrations, providing a strategic platform to introduce CSIAP and its farmers’ innovations while engaging both local and international audiences. The exhibitions were conducted in districts where the CSIAP is currently being implemented, enabling the project to highlight its on-ground achievements and farmer innovations.
Objectives
of the CSIAP Participation
The
primary objective of the CSIAP’s participation was to provide farmers with a
valuable opportunity to demonstrate their agricultural capabilities, showcase
climate-smart products, and directly sell their produce. The exhibitions also
aimed to facilitate linkages between the CSIAP farmers and potential buyers. Hotels,
resorts, villas, and other tourist accommodation providers were specifically
invited to visit the exhibitions to explore sourcing opportunities and to
strengthen market connections between the agriculture and tourism sectors.
Provincial
Collaboration and Exhibition Venues
The
Trade Fairs and Exhibitions were organized by the Eastern, North Central, and
North Western Provincial Councils in their respective districts. The events
were held at key locations to ensure high public visibility and participation:
- Eastern Trade Fair and Exhibition at the McHeyzer Playground, Trincomalee
- North Central Trade Fair and Exhibition at Kubichchankulama, Anuradhapura
- North Western Trade Fair and Exhibition at the premises of the North Western Provincial Council, Kurunegala
These
venues attracted large crowds, including local residents, tourists, students,
and representatives from the private sector.
The CSIAP booths featured an engaging range of displays that attracted significant attention from both local and foreign visitors. A model cascade system designed by the project became a key highlight, particularly appealing to schoolchildren and international visitors. Informative posters and visual materials showcased the project’s diverse interventions, including Climate Smart Agriculture practices, tank rehabilitation, agro-ecological landscape resilience planning, water management strategies, and the Climate Smart Farmer Training School.
Additional displays highlighted marketing linkages introduced under the project, environmental and social safeguards, women’s contribution to the agriculture sector, and efforts to improve household nutrition. Together, these exhibits effectively communicated CSIAP’s holistic approach to sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.
Strong
Leadership and Institutional Support
Mr.
Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of the CSIAP, visited all three Trade Fairs
and Exhibitions along with specialists and officers from the Project Management
Unit. His presence underscored the project’s commitment to supporting
farmer-led market engagement initiatives.
The success of the exhibitions was further strengthened by the dedicated contributions of Mr. S. Naveendradas, Deputy Project Director for the Eastern Province; Mr. R. P. M. Dissanayake, Deputy Project Director for the North Central Province; and Mr. H. M. P. Bandara, Deputy Project Director for the North Western Province. Their leadership, together with the efforts of provincial and field staff, ensured effective coordination and impactful participation across all three events.
Strengthening
Market-Oriented Climate-Smart Agriculture
Overall, the CSIAP’s participation in these regional Trade Fairs and Exhibitions
successfully enhanced the visibility of climate-smart agriculture, strengthened
farmer-buyer linkages, and reinforced the project’s contribution to sustainable
rural livelihoods and tourism-linked market development.
