The CSIAP Invests Rs. 71.8M in Uva’s Irrigation Infrastructure to Support Farmers

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) has commenced the rehabilitation of two key minor irrigation systems—Weerakatiya Wewa and Gamunu Wewa—located in Pelwatta, under the Buttala Agrarian Service Centre Division in Uva Province. With a total investment of Rs. 71.8 million, this intervention aims to enhance water security, boost paddy cultivation, and build climate resilience among local smallholder farmers.

Weerakatiya Wewa Rehabilitation to Boost Agricultural Productivity in UP

The rehabilitation of the Weerakatiya Wewa officially began on 3rd July 2025 to enhance water availability and improve the livelihoods of local farming communities. This comprehensive effort includes: 

• Improvement of the 800-meter-long bund, which is crucial for strengthening the tank’s structural integrity and ensuring long-term water storage.
• Rehabilitation of the existing spillway to manage overflow during the rainy season and reduce the risk of flooding.
• Construction of 122 new farm turnouts, which will improve water distribution directly to individual farmlands.
• Installation of a new sluice gate to regulate water release more efficiently and equitably across the command area

Doubling Cultivation Capacity
Currently, 85 farmer families cultivate around 120 acres of paddy land using water from Weerakatiya Wewa. With the completion of rehabilitation works, these farmers will now be able to irrigate an additional 120 acres, effectively doubling the cultivated area to 240 acres.

This expansion is expected to significantly increase paddy production during both Yala and Maha seasons, enhance food security, and improve the household incomes and livelihoods of the local farming community. The rehabilitation is expected to directly contribute to the following outcomes: Increased cropping intensity due to reliable irrigation, Reduction in water losses thanks to improved water control structures and Improved climate resilience for smallholder farmers through sustainable water resource management.

Construction, Investment and Community-led Sustainable Management
The project, with a total investment of Rs. 46 million, was undertaken by Samarasinghe Construction Company funded under the CSIAP to support long-term agricultural resilience in climate-vulnerable regions.  To ensure community ownership and long-term sustainability, the Weerakatiya Farm Organisation will be responsible for the maintenance and management of the rehabilitated tank.

PMU Officials Witnessed the Rehabilitation Work
The commencement of the Weerakatiya Wewa Rehabilitation project was marked by the presence of a team from the Project Management Unit (PMU),  CSIAP. The team included: Ms. Aruni Premathilake, Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist, Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist and Ms. Sharmila Shanmuganathan, Social Safeguard and Gender Development Officer. Additionally, Mr. T.D. Bandara, Gender Development Officer from the office of the Deputy Project Director for the Southern and Uva Provinces, also participated in the event. This collaborative effort highlights the integrated approach towards environmental, social, and gender considerations in the rehabilitation of the Weerakatiya Wewa.

The CSIAP Urges Timely Completion and Community Oversight of Tank Rehabilitation
During a site visit, officials from PMU instructed the contractors to expedite the rehabilitation work at Weerakatiya Wewa, ensuring that all tasks are completed well before the project’s scheduled closure in December 2025. To ensure quality and community alignment, the CSIAP team also requested that the Weerakatiya Farm Organisation to actively supervise the ongoing construction work. Their role is to ensure that the rehabilitation meets the practical needs of the farming community and is implemented according to agreed technical standards. This collaborative approach promotes accountability, local ownership, and timely delivery—all essential to realizing the long-term impact of irrigation infrastructure investments under the CSIAP.

Gamunu Wewa Rehabilitation  to Enable Year-Round Paddy Cultivation in UP

The rehabilitation already commenced this year  and is part of a broader effort to improve water security and agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. The rehabilitation work focuses on three key components:

• Channel lining for 300 meters to reduce seepage and ensure efficient delivery of irrigation water
• Bund strengthening to enhance the safety, storage capacity, and resilience of the tank
• Spillway rehabilitation to allow for safe and controlled water overflow during peak rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding or structural damage

The total investment for this initiative is Rs. 25.8 million, and construction is being carried out by Suwashakthi Construction Company, under the supervision of the CSIAP’s engineering and safeguards team.

Improved Water Access for Smallholder Farmers
Gamunu Wewa currently supports 15 farmer families who use the tank’s water to cultivate paddy during the Yala and Maha seasons. However, limited storage capacity and outdated infrastructure have prevented them from utilizing water during the mid-season, constraining productivity and income.

With the completion of rehabilitation work, the tank will be able to store and distribute water more efficiently, enabling cultivation across all three cropping seasons — Yala, Maha, and the inter-monsoonal mid-season. This means: Increased cropping intensity and better land utilization, Improved income stability through additional harvests, Reduced risk of crop failure due to improved irrigation control and Greater resilience to climate variability, especially prolonged dry spells

Support for Sugar Cane Farming
Importantly, the improved water supply from Gamunu Wewa will also support sugarcane cultivation in surrounding areas—diversifying crop options and further enhancing the economic resilience of the local farming community.

Sustainability and Farmer Empowerment
The CSIAP places a strong emphasis on sustainability and community participation. Following the rehabilitation, the operation and maintenance of Gamunu Wewa will be handed over to the local farmer organization, ensuring community ownership and encouraging participatory irrigation management. This project is expected not only to enhance agricultural output but also to serve as a model for scalable interventions in other small-scale tanks in the province.

Monitoring, Guiding and Directing by the DPD, SP&UP
Mr. D.M.L. Bandaranayake, Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP  in the Southern and Uva Provinces, plays a key leadership role in the rehabilitation of irrigation tanks in the province. He actively monitors the progress of each project site, ensuring that work is carried out efficiently and in accordance with technical standards and project timelines. By providing strategic direction and practical guidance to his staff, implementing agencies and contractors, he ensures that each assigned task is executed with precision and dedication. His commitment to quality and timely implementation significantly contributes to the success of the CSIAP’s infrastructure development efforts.

Story and photographs by Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP

Rebirth of Jandurawewa – Empowering 55 Farm Families in Ranawaranawa

Rehabilitated Jandurawewa

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, has made a substantial impact on farming communities across Sri Lanka’s dry zone. One of the most transformative interventions of the project has been the rehabilitation of traditional irrigation tanks, which are a vital source of water for agriculture in these climate-vulnerable areas. Through the restoration and strengthening of these tanks, the CSIAP has significantly improved the availability and reliability of water for paddy cultivation. As a result, paddy cultivation—which is highly dependent on a reliable water source—has seen notable improvements in both yield and consistency. Farmers, who once faced frequent crop failures due to water scarcity, now have access to adequate irrigation throughout the cultivation cycle.

Weeding in the paddy field

This consistent water supply has enabled them to grow healthy, high-yielding paddy crops during both Yala and Maha seasons. This, in turn, has enhanced their income-generating capacity and contributed to uplifting their overall living standards. This intervention not only strengthens agricultural productivity but also supports the long-term resilience and economic stability of smallholder farming families in climate-vulnerable areas. As a direct result, farming families in the project areas have experienced a significant boost in agricultural productivity and income generation. Increased harvests not only ensure food security at the household level but also allow farmers to sell surplus produce in local markets, thereby strengthening the rural economy.

In the heart of Ranawaranawa, under the Weerawila Agrarian Service Centre Division in Hambantota, lies the Jandurawewa tank – a once-neglected irrigation source that has now become a lifeline for 55 farming families. Spanning 48 acres, these farmers had long struggled with water scarcity, managing to cultivate paddy only during one season each year.

However, everything changed with the intervention of the

A paddy field being covered by a solar-powered electric fence

Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). Through a comprehensive tank rehabilitation program—including bund improvement, spillway construction, and desilting—an investment of Rs. 8.2 million revitalized the tank. As a result, farmers are now able to cultivate both Yala and Maha seasons, doubling their productivity and significantly improving their livelihoods.  To further support the farming community and ensure the sustainability of agricultural activities, the project implemented a solar-powered electric fence system around the paddy fields. This initiative was specifically designed to address the growing issue of crop damage caused by wild animals. The solar-powered system provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution, operating independently of the national grid. As a result, farmers now experience fewer crop losses and can cultivate their fields with greater confidence and security.

Upon completion of the rehabilitation, the tank was officially handed over to the Parakum Farm Organisation for ongoing management and maintenance. Beyond paddy farming, the organisation has also tapped into an innovative income stream by cultivating lotus flowers in the tank, generating approximately Rs. 12,000 per month during the peak flowering season and around Rs. 7,000 per month during the off-season, contributing to the organisation’s financial sustainability and promoting diversified agricultural practices. The CSIAP didn’t stop there. Understanding the importance of year-round farming, the project also provided mung bean, chili, and groundnut seeds for inter-seasonal cultivation. These interventions have opened new avenues of income for farming families in the area.

Nirosha and Jayasena farmer family

Among the beneficiaries are Mr. P. K. D. Jayasena and Mrs. R. M. Nirosha, a husband-and-wife farming duo who have witnessed a transformation in their livelihood. Sharing their journey, they said:“Before the tank rehabilitation, we struggled with severe water shortages and could only cultivate paddy during one season. Now, we cultivate two full seasons without issue and even grow a variety of vegetables such as Solanum torvum (Tibbatu), Thai Eggplant (Thalana Batu), Winged Bean (Dambala), Tomato, Long Beans (Ma Karal), Maize (Bada Iringu), and Cucumber.

Previously, our annual income was around Rs. 300,000 from the Paddy Cultivation. Now, we earn Rs. 1.7 million, with expenses totaling only Rs. 670,000. Vegetable farming alone adds another Rs. 1,586,000  to our income in 2024.” Mrs. Nirosha, who received training at the Farmer Training School in Thirappane on Climate Smart Agriculture Practices and Technologies, also benefited from a sprinkler irrigation system and financial support for a polytunnel, provided by the CSIAP. The couple expressed their deep gratitude to the CSIAP and the dedicated staff of the Deputy Project Director’s Office in Southern and Uva Provinces. They also extended special thanks to Mr. D.M.L. Bandaranayake, Deputy Project Director, for his continuous encouragement and support.

Beyond income gains, the success of paddy cultivation has led to broader socio-economic improvements. With better earnings, farmers are now able to invest in education, health, housing, and farm inputs—raising their standard of living and creating more resilient livelihoods. Women and youth, in particular, are finding new opportunities in post-harvest processing and agri-entrepreneurship supported by the project.

The
Jandurawewa tank rehabilitation has enabled year-round cultivation, diversified income sources, and improved the resilience and prosperity of local farm families. The project stands as a model for integrated water resource management and community-driven agricultural development.

Story and photographs by Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP