Significant Progress
in Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa Districts
In the Anuradhapura &
Polonnaruwa Districts, the CSIAP has
successfully rehabilitated and constructed 21 agri-roads, directly benefiting 1419
farmer families engaged in irrigated agriculture. These road interventions
serve farming lands covering an extent of 2725 acres, at a total investment of
Rs. 83.617 million, demonstrating the project’s strong commitment to
cost-effective and farmer-centric infrastructure development.
The agri-roads
developed under this programme are located within the Parangiyawadiya , Koonwewa
and Hingurakgoda Agrarian Service Centre divisions. Collectively, they support
agricultural activities linked to 21 irrigation tanks functioning under 13
cascade systems, highlighting the CSIAP’s integrated approach that aligns rural
road development with irrigation-based agricultural landscapes. With a total
length of 22,590 metres, these agri-roads provide vital connectivity between
farmlands, irrigation networks, village settlements, and main transport routes.
Improving Access for
Rural Farmers
One of CSIAP’s core
objectives is to enhance agricultural productivity and market integration by
improving physical access in rural areas. The newly rehabilitated and
constructed agri-roads enable farmers to transport inputs such as seed,
fertilizer, and equipment more easily, while also facilitating the timely
movement of harvested produce to collection centres, markets, and processing
facilities.
By reducing travel
time, transport costs, and post-harvest losses, these roads contribute directly
to improved farm incomes and greater efficiency across the agricultural value
chain. The improved connectivity is especially crucial during peak cultivation
and harvesting seasons, when timely access can determine profitability.
Why These Roads
Matter
For many
village-level farmers in the NCP, poor road conditions
have long been a barrier to economic progress. Limited access to reliable
transport networks has constrained market participation, weakened links with
agribusinesses, and increased dependence on intermediaries.
The CSIAP agri-road interventions address these long-standing challenges by creating safer, more reliable, and climate-resilient access routes. Beyond their physical function, the improved roads have boosted farmer confidence and morale, encouraging sustained engagement in commercial agriculture and collective farming initiatives. Stronger market connections are also opening new opportunities for diversification and value addition within rural communities.
Part of a Broader
Rural Development Strategy
The agri-road
programme is an integral component of the CSIAP’s broader rural development
framework, which includes irrigation system rehabilitation, capacity building
through farmer training, and the promotion of climate-smart agricultural
practices. By combining infrastructure development with institutional
strengthening and knowledge transfer, the CSIAP aims to build resilient farming
systems capable of withstanding climate variability while ensuring long-term
productivity.
Together, these
interventions are contributing to the transformation of rural landscapes across
the NCP, strengthening food security,
enhancing livelihoods, and supporting Sri Lanka’s transition toward
sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture.
By M.M.Malithi Dewmini, Monitoring
and Evaluation Officer, North Central Province
