CSIAP Empowers a Determined Woman Farmer to Achieve Agricultural Success

At the ground level, the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) places strong emphasis on empowering women farmers who are striving to stand on their own feet with confidence and determination. One such inspiring success story is that of Ms. A. L. Deepa Kumari (age 50), a resident of the Dewramvehera Grama Niladhari Division under the Weerawila Agrarian Service Centre Division in Hambantota.

Farmer Deepa Kumari

Driven by a strong ambition to improve her livelihood through agriculture, Ms. Deepa Kumari was determined to succeed despite facing significant constraints, particularly limited access to resources and technical guidance. Recognising her potential and commitment, the CSIAP stepped in to support her journey towards sustainable farming.

On behalf of the project, Ms. K. A. A. Nuwanthi, Agriculture Facilitator at the Weerawila Agrarian Service Centre Division, carefully assessed Ms. Deepa Kumari’s needs and initiated timely interventions. Through coordination with the Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP for the Southern and Uva Provinces, a solar-powered water pump was provided to address the critical issue of water scarcity, enabling uninterrupted cultivation. In addition, Ms. Nuwanthi took the initiative to coordinate with Mr. H. J. A. Malaka, Agriculture Instructor in the Mattala area, to ensure that Ms. Deepa Kumari received continuous technical guidance and advisory support.  

Mr. Malak and Ms. Nuwanthi with the farmer

Further strengthening her capacity, Ms. Deepa Kumari actively participated in CSIAP-supported training programmes, including the Farmer Business School (FBS) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) training. These programmes enhanced her knowledge on farm planning, cost management, market-oriented production, and climate-resilient farming techniques, enabling her to manage agriculture as a viable and sustainable enterprise rather than a subsistence activity.

With consistent support and close supervision provided by both Ms. Nuwanthi and Mr. Malaka, Ms. Deepa Kumari commenced cultivation six months ago, planting tomato on one acre and long beans on another acre. Her dedication, combined with timely project assistance, led to remarkable results. At harvest, she recorded an impressive yield of approximately 15,000 kg of tomatoes and 5,000 kg of long beans. 

Tomatoes grown successfully

Ms. Deepa Kumari’s success clearly illustrates the transformative impact of the CSIAP’s farmer-centred approach. Through targeted infrastructure support, continuous technical guidance, and practical capacity-building initiatives, the project is enabling women farmers to overcome barriers, enhance productivity, and build climate-resilient livelihoods. Her story stands as a strong testament to how well-planned interventions under the CSIAP can convert determination and ambition into lasting agricultural success, while promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development.

Notably, this success also underscores the CSIAP’s emphasis on women’s empowerment. By creating inclusive opportunities for women farmers to access training, inputs, and decision-making platforms, the project has strengthened their confidence and leadership in agriculture. These interventions have enabled women to move beyond subsistence farming toward sustainable, income-generating livelihoods.

This success story clearly demonstrates how targeted interventions, technical guidance, and farmer-focused capacity building under the CSIAP can transform ambition into achievement, empowering farmers—especially women—to build resilient livelihoods through climate-smart agriculture.