Dr. Sheu Salau Receives a Token of Appreciation from the DPD - CSIAP in NP

Dr. Sheu Salau, Senior Agriculture Economist and Task Team Leader (TTL) for the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), was honoured with a token of appreciation by Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP in the Northern Province, during the 14th Implementation Support Mission of the CSIAP. 

This gesture reflects the profound gratitude of the CSIAP team for Dr. Salau’s exceptional leadership, steadfast support, and invaluable contributions to the project’s progress. His guidance has been instrumental in steering CSIAP toward its development objectives with dedication and strategic vision.

Dr. Salau’s leadership has not only ensured effective coordination and oversight but has also inspired the project team to pursue excellence at every stage. The CSIAP deeply values his commitment and the collaborative spirit he consistently brings to the partnership. The CSIAP extends its heartfelt thanks for his ongoing support, which continues to enhance the impact and effectiveness of the project on the ground. 

CSIAP Farmers in NP demonstrate capabilities of walk-behind paddy transplanters

 

The CSIAP beneficiary farmers from Union Viluthukal Young Farmers Club in Konawil, Kilinochchi, demonstrated the capabilities of walk-behind paddy transplanters in front of World Bank Officials who are on the 14^th Implementation Support Mission of the CSIAP in Northern Province. The walk-behind paddy transplanter is designed for transplanting rice seedlings into a puddled and levelled field. It is recommended for small to medium-sized farms. This requires less time than manual transplanting and minimises the drudgery and cost of rice transplanting. Also, it ensures higher crop productivity, optimum plant spacing, and a larger number of seedlings per hill. Moreover, it uses less labour and ensures timely planting, requires less time than manual transplanting, minimises the drudgery and cost of rice transplanting, ensures higher crop productivity and provides optimum plant spacing and number of seedlings per hill. The CSIAP provided Unionviluthukal Young Club with three walk-behind paddy transplanters, three power weeders, transplanting trays, and paddy seeds. Transplanters are used in 40 acres of paddy fields in both the Yala and Maha seasons. The machines given are used,  and transplanting nurseries are maintained under the guidance and supervision of Mr. S Diriyan, Agriculture Instructor in  Akkarayakulam.

The nursery bed is a crucial component when using a walk-behind paddy transplanter, and its necessity lies in ensuring that the seedlings are grown in a way that matches the machine’s requirements. Here's a breakdown of why it’s needed:

1. Uniform Seedling Growth: the machine requires uniform seedlings (same height, density, and maturity) to operate efficiently, and a well-managed nursery ensures consistent growth, which is key for smooth transplanting.

2. Mat-Type Seedlings: Walk-behind rice transplanters typically use mat-type seedlings grown on flat nursery beds (often on plastic sheets or trays), and the machine lifts and cuts these mats into rows and plants them – random seedlings won’t work.

3. Proper Root Structure: Nursery beds are designed to encourage dense, shallow root systems that hold together well in a mat, and this is essential for the mechanical fingers of the transplanter to grip and plant the seedlings without breakage.

4. Machine Compatibility: The seedling mats must match the dimensions of the transplanter’s seedling tray, and preparing the nursery bed accordingly ensures the machine operates without jamming or missed planting.

5. Time and Labour Efficiency: A properly prepared nursery ensures faster and more accurate planting, saving time and labour compared to manual transplanting, and poor nursery prep = machine downtime and manual corrections = lost efficiency.

Mr. S.M. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director and Specialists from the Project Management Unit, were also present. Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP in Northern Province, organized and facilitated this World Bank Mission with his provincial staff.

The World Bank Officials arrived in NP to review the progress of the CSIAP

The World Bank Team led by Dr. Sheu Salau (Senior Agriculture Economist/Task Team Leader (TTL) for the CSIAP) of the 14th Implementation Support and Review Mission of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) arrived in Northern Province today (06th) to assess the current implementation status and evaluate the achievements against the project development objectives of the CSIAP’s progress in Northern Province. The progress review meeting commenced at the CSIAP's Provincial Deputy Director's Office in Kilinochchi, this afternoon.

Representing the World Bank, Ms. Thiruni Liyanage (Co-TTL /Water Resources Management Specialist), Dr. Athula Senaratne (Senior Agriculture Specialist), Mr. Seenithamby Manoharan (Senior Consultant, Agriculture and Rural Development) and Jagath Seneviratne (Monitoring & Evaluation Consultant) joined the mission. The overall progress of the CSIAP’s activities achieved in Northern Province was presented through Management Information Systems (MIS) by Monitoring & Evaluation Officer Mr. M.M.A. Abrar while Subject Officers presented subjective presentations in front of the World Bank team. Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director and Subject Specialists and Officers of the Project Management Unit were also present at this meeting. Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP in Northern Province guided and facilitated this World Bank Mission in Northern Province with his staff.