Achievement of Key Performance Indicators
At the time of reporting, the project’s performance indicators
demonstrate significant improvement over baseline values. Cropping intensity
has reached 150%, surpassing the project target of 135% and improving markedly
from the baseline of 110%. This indicates more effective utilization of
cultivated land and enhanced productivity through improved irrigation and
agronomic practices.
Cropping diversity has also shown remarkable progress. During
the most recent Yala season, cropping diversity reached 49.7%, compared to a
baseline of 10 percent and very close to the project target of 50%. This
improvement reflects successful promotion of diversified cropping systems,
contributing to climate resilience and income stability for farmers.
The target area under improved Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)
practices is 55,000 hectares. As of the end of the third quarter of 2025,
approximately 35,000 hectares have been brought under improved CSA
interventions, demonstrating steady progress toward the final target.
The number of direct beneficiaries reached by the project
stands at 367,491, which is close to the end-of-project target of 470,000
beneficiaries. Of this total, 161,907 beneficiaries are women, highlighting the
project’s strong emphasis on gender inclusion and women’s participation in
agriculture-based livelihoods.
Financial and Physical Progress
The annual government budget allocation for the year 2025
amounted to LKR 8,775 million. An action plan was developed in line with this
allocation; however, by the end of the third quarter, only LKR 2,893.99 million
had been spent on project activities. As a result, cumulative financial
expenditure reached LKR 27,009.13 million, equivalent to USD 90.03 million (at
an exchange rate of USD 1 = LKR 300), reflecting an overall financial progress
of 76%.
In contrast, cumulative physical progress of the project
reached 90 percent by the end of the third quarter. The observed gap between
physical and financial progress is mainly attributed to delays in the
submission of bills by contractors for completed works and delays in bill
certification processes in certain instances. These issues have been
recognized, and measures are being taken to expedite financial disbursements.
Irrigation Rehabilitation and Water Management
Rehabilitation of irrigation systems has progressed well
across project areas. Under Phase I, out of the agreed 476 tanks to be
rehabilitated within 72 cascades, 465 tanks have been successfully completed.
Under Phase II, 179 irrigation systems were initially identified for
rehabilitation; however, two tanks were cancelled due to implementation issues.
As a result, 177 tanks are currently under rehabilitation, with approximately
20 tanks already completed.
Under the water management component, water use efficiency has
been piloted in 50 tanks across cultivation seasons. For the 2025 Yala season,
the average water use efficiency increase for paddy cultivation was measured at
38.6 percent, exceeding the project’s expected improvement of 30 percent. This
demonstrates the effectiveness of improved water management practices
introduced by the project.
Support to Farmers and CSA Interventions
The project continues to support beneficiaries through
micro-irrigation systems and agro-well rehabilitation. To date, 1,331
agro-wells have been renovated out of a target of 1,475 wells. Under Phase II,
196 agro-wells are under implementation out of the 211 identified. These
agro-wells support the cultivation of vegetables, green chilies, onions, and
other Other Field Crops (OFCs).
Approximately 66,000 beneficiaries have received agricultural
assets and services. Extensive farmer training programs on CSA practices have
been conducted across six provinces. Under CSA interventions such as
micro-irrigation, home gardening, agronomic improvements, inter-season
cultivation, seed production, and organic manure production, a total of 100,198
farmers have participated in 3,291 training programs.
Farmers using micro-irrigation systems primarily cultivate
onions, green chilies, and vegetables, while inter-season cultivation
activities focus mainly on green gram and other OFCs. Compost production
activities have progressed well, achieving 42,390 metric tons out of the target
of 45,000 metric tons, with most compost used for home gardening.
Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening
Training on CSA practices at the Thirappane Farmer Training
School has been conducted as planned. By the end of the third quarter, 2,946
lead farmers and trainers participated in 131 training programs. These trained
individuals are expected to transfer knowledge and skills to peer farmers
within their communities.
The Farm Business School (FBS) program has been instrumental
in developing entrepreneurial and managerial capacities among farmers,
transitioning them from subsistence farming to market-oriented, climate-smart
agriculture. A total of 159 trainers, including Agriculture Instructors and
Agriculture Facilitators, completed training across 12 FBS modules. These
trainers have begun disseminating knowledge to approximately 15,000 farmers in
hotspot areas. To date, 11,335 farmers have completed all 12 modules, while an
additional 1,200 farmers are currently undergoing training.
Sustainability, Market Linkages, and Community
Institutions
To ensure sustainability of project interventions, 544 Farmer
Producer Societies and 45 Farmer Producer Associations have been established.
These institutions facilitate collective marketing, enhance bargaining power,
and improve market access for farmers. So far, around 43 market linkages have
been successfully established.
For effective operation and maintenance of irrigation systems,
60 Cascade Management Committees (CMCs) have been formed. Of these, 59 cascade
management plans have been completed, and implementation has begun on 141
identified activities, including 32 tree planting initiatives and 109
construction activities. Farmer organizations have also received training on
cascade management, leadership, bookkeeping, and water management.
The project supported the establishment of solar-powered
seasonal electric fences to protect crops, completing 765 kilometers of
fencing, with an additional 1,000 kilometers currently under progress for the
upcoming Maha season.
Environmental, Social, and Technological
Interventions
Tree planting campaigns have been conducted to improve
catchment areas through reforestation, agroforestry, wind barriers, Kattakaduwa
development, and compensatory planting. Social safeguard and gender-related
training programs are ongoing, while the grievance redress mechanism is
functioning effectively, with all reported grievances addressed.
Laser land leveling has been introduced to improve water-use
efficiency and paddy productivity, covering 21 hectares to date. Two laser
leveling machines have been procured and distributed to the North Western
Province and Northern Province Departments of Agriculture. Additionally,
initial steps have been completed to establish a Climate Smart Irrigated
Agriculture Unit within the Ministry.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Communication
Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities and
ICT initiatives are progressing well, with approximately 2,350 IEC programs
conducted across various subject areas. Five social media platforms are
actively maintained to disseminate project information. Data entry into the
Management Information System (MIS) has reached approximately 95% completion.
Monitoring and evaluation activities are ongoing, including the development of a farmer-level database, which is now at its final stage under the guidance of a database management consultant. An independent outcome survey has been conducted using university undergraduates as enumerators, with analysis and reporting currently underway. Preparation of the Borrower’s Implementation Completion Report has also commenced through an independent consultancy firm.
Governance, Supervision, and Reporting
Project implementation is regularly reviewed through progress
review meetings, National Steering Committee (NSC) meetings, and Provincial
Steering Committee meetings. World Bank supervision missions are conducted
regularly, with 14 missions completed to date. To expedite fund disbursement by
the end of December 2025, special weekly virtual progress review sessions have
been scheduled with the World Bank team, in addition to bi-monthly reviews by the project team, routine field supervision, and quarterly and annual reporting to stakeholders.
Written by Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP
Data provided by Asoka Koralage, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, PMU, CSIAP
