Cultivating Hope in Their Golden Years; The Story of Mr. Thiyagaraja's Family

A Life Rooted in the Soil
For Mr. Sebestian Peter Thiyagaraja (76) and his wife, Ms. P. Rani (68), farming has been more than an occupation—it has been their lifeline for decades. In their small village of Maniyankulam in Akkarayan, Kilinochchi District, the couple has worked tirelessly on their modest half-acre of land, relying on the soil to feed their family and sustain their livelihood. Yet, farming in this part of the Northern Province has never been easy. Years of water scarcity, unpredictable weather, and lack of resources made agriculture a daunting challenge. “We wanted to cultivate more, but the struggle for water was endless,” remembers Ms. Rani.

 A Turning Point with CSIAP
Hope arrived through the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation with World Bank support. Understanding the challenges faced by farmers like Mr. Thiyagaraja and Ms. Rani, CSIAP stepped in with a sprinkler irrigation system—a sustainable solution that optimizes limited water resources. Alongside this, the couple received Green Gram (Mung Bean) seeds, well-suited to their land and climate. For the first time in years, the couple could cultivate without worrying about water shortages.

Harvesting Success
The transformation was remarkable. With better irrigation and quality seeds, their yields improved significantly. Today, they earn nearly Rs. 100,000 per season—a level of income they had never experienced before. More importantly, farming has once again become a source of dignity and pride. The couple is already planning to expand their cultivation further with continued the CSIAP support. “We never thought at this age we could achieve this much,” says Mr. Thiyagaraja with a smile.

Mr. Thiyagaraja and Ms. Rani

Strength Beyond Age
What makes their story extraordinary is not only the income but their perseverance. Even in their 60s and 70s, the husband and wife work side by side in the fields, refusing to depend on anyone else. “Without burdening anyone, even at this age, we continue to cultivate and stand on our own feet.” – Ms. P. Rani. The earnings from their farm not only sustain the couple but also help support their unmarried daughter, ensuring she too can live with dignity and security.

More Than Farming – A Legacy of Resilience
This story reflects more than agricultural success; it reflects resilience, family values, and the power of the right intervention at the right time. By adopting climate-smart practices, the couple is securing their livelihood while inspiring other farmers in their community.

Gratitude and Hope
Mr. Thiyagaraja and Ms. Rani express deep gratitude to the CSIAP for transforming their farming journey. Their fields now symbolise more than crops—they symbolize hope, independence, and strength in the golden years of life.
“This is not just farming,” says Mr. Thiyagaraja softly. “This is our future.” 

The success story of a Scotch Bonnet Farmer Family in Akkarayan, Kilinochchi

In the rural heartland of Kilinochchi District, where farming is the backbone of family survival, stories of hardship are common. But amidst these, some stories shine brightly as proof that resilience and opportunity can create lasting change. One such story is that of Ms. S. Pushpaleela, a 47-year-old farmer from Skanthapuram in Akkarayan, Northern Province. 

Farmer Ms. Pushpaleela

For years, Pushpaleea and her husband, Mr. S. Sivasiri (age 47) , who is also a farmer, struggled to make a living from their small piece of land. Farming had always been their way of life, but without reliable access to water, they were trapped in a cycle of low yields and financial difficulty. “There were days we thought of giving up farming altogether,” recalls Pushpaleela. “We worked hard, but without water, what can a farmer really do?”

 A Turning Point with CSIAP 
Their situation changed when they were introduced to the Climate Smart Irrigation Agriculture Project (CSIAP) implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation and financed by the World Bank. Through an awareness programme conducted by the Deputy Project Director’s Office in the Northern Province, the couple learned that new opportunities were available for farmers like them. With the direction of Deputy Project Director Mr. George Babu and under the technical guidance of Agriculture Specialist Mr. K. Vasanthan, the local Agriculture Facilitator, Ms. R. Kayalini, approached the family. Recognising their determination, the CSIAP decided to provide them with a sprinkler irrigation system that could cover their entire half-acre plot. 

This intervention proved transformative. With a reliable water supply and improved irrigation, Pushpaleea was able to begin cultivating Scotch Bonnet chillies, a high-value crop with growing demand in the Sri Lankan market.

From Modest Harvest to Market Contracts
Her first harvest in June this year was modest, but with time and practice, yields steadily improved. Now, just a few months later, she expects to reap around 500 kilograms of Scotch Bonnet, a crop that currently fetches around Rs. 800 per kilogram in the local market.

The family’s fortunes took an even more positive turn when Pushpaleea secured a supply contract with Keells, one of the country’s leading supermarket chains. This partnership ensures not only a stable market for her produce but also a fair price, giving her confidence to expand her efforts further. “Supplying to a supermarket like Keells is something I never thought possible,” she says proudly. “Now, when I see my chillies on their shelves, I feel recognized as a true farmer.”

With her Daughter Shivadharsha

 A Family Effort
Pushpaleela is also a mother of five. Her two youngest daughters;   Shivadharsha (20), and   Thamilnila  (18) are actively involved in farming, helping with planting, harvesting, and marketing. What was once a backbreaking struggle to survive has now become a family enterprise, bringing not only income but also dignity and pride. Her husband, who once worried about whether farming could sustain their family, now works alongside her with renewed energy. “We finally see the fruits of our hard work,” says Puspaleea. “With this support given by the CSIAP, we can give our children the opportunities we never had.”

More Than Farming – A Better Life
Today, the family’s income is strong enough to cover their household needs, invest in their children’s necessities, and plan for the future. Farming, once a burden, has now become the foundation for a comfortable and secure lifestyle. Beyond financial gains, Pushpaleea also highlights the confidence and respect she has earned in her community. Other farmers now visit her field to learn about Scotch Bonnet cultivation and modern irrigation practices. She has become an informal role model for women farmers in the region, showing what is possible when determination is paired with the right support. 

Gratitude and Hope
Pushpaleea’s journey reflects the larger vision of the CSIAP — to empower rural communities through climate-smart practices, ensuring resilience and prosperity for farming families. With a smile of gratitude, she says, “Because of the CSIAP, our family is living a life we only dreamed of before. We are not just surviving anymore; we are building a future for our children.”
 
Her success story stands as an inspiring example of how targeted development initiatives can uplift rural livelihoods, transforming not only fields but entire families and communities. 

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