SLCSAC Hosts a Workshop to Develop National Competency Standards for CSA

The Workshop Introduction and NVQ Presentation by Ms. Theja Malkanthi 

In a significant move towards formalising agricultural vocational training in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Climate Smart Agriculture Centre (SLCSAC) conducted a comprehensive workshop today at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to develop a National Competency Standard for Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture (CSA) Practices. The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), Ministry officials, agriculture experts, curriculum developers, and training providers, with the objective of aligning Climate Smart Agriculture training programmes with the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) framework. 

Currently, the Farm Business Development Course and Climate Smart Agriculture Practices Course—conducted under the World Bank-funded Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP)—offer vital knowledge and skills to farmers across 11 districyts in the dry zone. These courses are delivered through the Farm Training School in Thirappane and Farm Business Schools established at farmer sites, primarily at Agrarian Service Centres. While these programs have significantly enhanced the vocational competencies of participating farmers, they are not yet aligned with the NVQ framework, and therefore lack formal accreditation, limiting their value at both national and international levels.

Welcoming participants to the workshop by Ms. Udula Sedara

Addressing this gap, today's workshop focused on formulating a National Competency Standard that would provide the foundation for recognising CSA training under the NVQ framework. Once adopted, this standard would enable training institutions to offer NVQ-certified courses, increasing the credibility, transferability, and employment potential of the skills acquired by farmers.

The initiative is also expected to support Sri Lanka’s broader goals of sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security by equipping rural communities with skills that are officially certified and market-relevant. The development of this competency standard will undergo further review and validation in consultation with industry stakeholders and technical experts before it is finalised and endorsed by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC).

The workshop was held in collaboration with the TVEC, the apex body for vocational education and training in Sri Lanka. Marking the importance of this initiative, Dr. Dilrukshi Herath, Assistant Director of NVQ at TVEC, participated in the event, representing the national authority responsible for implementing and monitoring the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) framework.

The main objectives of the workshop were:

1. To raise awareness of the availability of CSA-related training programs or any bridge programs currently operating under the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) system, and to explore how these may be aligned with the Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF).
2. To aware the availability of a National Competency Standard (NCS) for CSA-related courses and, if unavailable, to explore how existing courses conducted at the Farm Training School in Thirappane and through Farmer Business Schools can be mapped and accredited through the national system.
3. To develop and formulate a structured CSA course tied to specific job functions, with the goal of producing a recognized National Competency Standard and Curriculum. This would allow the program to operate as a demand-driven, accredited course that meets the needs of both learners and the agriculture sector.

Dr. Sanjeewa Rodrigo

The SLCSAC was established under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation (MALLI), operating within the AgroTech Division of the MALLI. It serves as the institutional mechanism to sustain and scale up the impactful initiatives pioneered by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). As part of its inaugural activity, SLCSAC has embarked on the process of obtaining National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) accreditation for Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) training courses—an essential step toward formalizing agricultural competencies and promoting vocational excellence. The Centre, currently headed by Acting Focal Point Director Dr. Vindhaya Basnayake, is mandated to deliver NVQ Level 1 to 4 certified programs in the future.

The design and coordination of the NVQ accreditation process for SLCSAC were led by Dr. Sanjeewa Rodrigo, Agribusiness and Value Chain Specialist for the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Speaking at the event, Dr. Sanjeewa Rodrigo noted, “This is a transformative step towards professionalizing climate-resilient farming. By aligning our training efforts with national qualifications, we ensure that our farmers receive the recognition they deserve and this workshop marks a pivotal moment in bridging the gap between practical agricultural training and formal vocational certification. “By developing a recognised competency standard, we are empowering farmers and building a resilient agricultural workforce for the future.”, he further added.

The Keynote Address on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), and the Sri Lanka Climate Smart Agriculture Centre (SLCSAC) was delivered by Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist at the World Bank. A speech on CSIAP Sustainability and Capacity Building Programming with a Focus on Resource Mobilisation was delivered by Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). Additionally, the Workshop Introduction and NVQ Presentation was delivered by Ms. M.P. Theja Malkanthi, former Assistant Director (NCS Development & Curriculum Development) at National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA). Dr. Dilrukshi Herath, Assistant Director (National Vocational Qualification Division), TVEC, elaborated on the contributions of the TVEC to the training programmes on Climate Smart Agriculture conducted by the SLCSAC.  

Supporting this initiative, Development Officers from MALLI's AgroTech Division—Ms. Udula Sedara, Ms. Hashini Peiris, and Ms. M.L.F. Shifani —played a key role in organizing the event, with logistical arrangements efficiently managed by Mr. Mahela Kumarasiri. High-level officials from the Department of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission, Meteorological Department, Agriculture Research Station in Mahailluppallama, Paddy Research Institute in Bathalagoda, Natural Resources Management Centre, the World Bank, CSIAP, and the private sector also attended the workshop.

Written and photographed by Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP.