A technical session of the 50th ISSSM conducted by CSIAP DPD Dr. Weerasinghe

Dr. Weerasinghe conducts the technical session 1

Dr. Priyantha Weerasinghe, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP (Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project) conducted the technical session 1: Advanced Technologies in Soil Fertility Management of the 50^th International Symposium on Sustainable Soil Management (ISSSM) held today (05^th) at National Agriculture Information and Communication Centre (NAICC), Peradeniya. Dr. W.M.W. Weerakoon, The Director General of Agriculture, of Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka will grace the event as the chief guest.

Dr. Weerasinghe receives a token of appreciation

The objective of this symposium is to provide scientific knowledge and technological interventions to promote beneficial management practices to sustain soil resource for the provision of food, income and a quality environment for people.

At the end of the session a token of appreciation was awarded to Dr. Weerasinghe by Mr. W.S.P.Y. Upali, General Secretary of Soil Science Society of Sri Lanka which is the main organizer of this event. Dr. Weerasinghe, who is a Principal Agriculture Scientist (Soil and Plant Nutrition), was the Director of the Horticulture Crops Research and Development Institute of the Department of Agriculture prior to his retirement. Dr. Weerasinghe obtained his BSc (Agri) from the University of Peradeniya, M Phil (Agric) from Wye College, the University of London and PhD ( Soil Science) from Punjab Agriculture University, India. He has published many scientific research articles and book chapters in both national and international journals.

Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture of University of Peradeniya, Department of Export Agriculture, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are joint organizers.

Introduction of Cono Weeder to Farmers in Anuradhapura

Farmers using Cono Weeder to manage weeds in the paddy field

The Cono Weeder, a manually operated machine designed for weeding paddy fields, has been introduced to farmers in hotspot areas by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The machine is currently in operation in Ranorawa, Anuradhapura, a key area under the CSIAP.

 The Cono Weeder works by uprooting weeds with its rotating teeth and burying them in the mud through simple push-and-pull movements. It is easy to operate manually, making it suitable even for heavy clay soils. By using the Cono Weeder, farmers can significantly reduce the need for herbicides, promoting environmentally friendly farming practices.

This initiative is implemented jointly by the CSIAP and the Department of Agriculture, aiming to improve paddy field management, reduce labour intensity, and enhance productivity in climatically vulnerable areas. 

Introduction of the Parachute Method by the CSIAP to Farmers in Hotspot Areas

Broadcasting of seedlings in the paddy field 

The Parachute Method, also known as Seedling Broadcasting, is a novel technique for establishing paddy fields and has been introduced to farmers in hotspot areas by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). This innovative technology allows 12–15-day-old seedlings, grown in small cell plastic nursery trays with mud, to be broadcast directly into paddy fields, simplifying the transplanting process.

The method is being promoted among paddy growers in Mahanikawewa and Ranorawa in Anuradhapura, key CSIAP areas. Project officials, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, are providing technical guidance and training to encourage farmers to adopt this efficient seedling establishment method. The Parachute Method helps reduce labor requirements, shortens the time for field establishment, and supports climate-smart paddy cultivation practices in vulnerable areas. 

World Bank specialists conduct a workshop on Social Safeguards

Both Dr. Wickramasinghe and Mr. Fernando are addressing participants

Two World Bank Specialists Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, Consultant (Social Safeguard) and Mr. Shanek Fernando, Specialist (Social Safeguards) conducted a workshop on Identifying and Addressing Social Impacts for CSIAP (Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project) Interventions or Climatic Hot-spot Area Development held today (02nd) at CBS, Rajagiriya.

This two-day workshop, which started today, was organized by Ms. Sharmila Shanmuganathan, Social Safeguards and Gender Development Officer of PMU (Project Management Unit), CSIAP. The PMU and DPDO (Deputy Project Director Office) staff participated in this workshop.

Strengthening Capacity on Environmental Screening and Environmental Plan

Mrs. Samarakon is expressing her ideas 

Mrs. Maheni Samarakon, Environmental Safeguard Specialist, delivered a comprehensive lecture on the familiarization of the Environmental Screening Checklist and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) at the workshop on Environmental Screening Report (ESR) and EMP preparation, held today (28th) at the Central Bank Staff Training Centre (CBS), Rajagiriya. During her session, Mrs. Samarakon clearly explained the purpose and importance of environmental screening in project implementation, highlighting how the screening checklist supports the early identification of potential environmental risks and impacts. She also guided participants through the structure and key components of an effective Environmental Management Plan, emphasizing practical approaches to mitigation measures, monitoring mechanisms, and compliance with national environmental regulations and World Bank safeguard requirements. Real project-based examples were used to enhance participants’ understanding and application of the tools.

The two-day capacity-building workshop, which commenced today, was organized by Ms. Udula Sedara, Environment Officer of the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The programme aims to strengthen the technical capacity of project staff in preparing high-quality Environmental Screening Reports and EMPs, ensuring environmentally responsible and climate-resilient project implementation. Officials from the PMU and Deputy Project Director Offices (DPDOs) actively participated in the workshop, engaging in discussions and practical sessions designed to improve consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness in environmental safeguard documentation under CSIAP.

Why cascade system is important for the hotspot area management

Dr. Sakalasooriya is delivering his lecture

Dr. Nishan. P. Sakalasooriya, PRA Consultant for Tank Cascade System delivered his lecture on why cascade system is important for the hotspot area management at the workshop on Environment Screening Report preparation and EMP preparation held today (28th) at CBS, Rajagiriya.

This two-day workshop, which started today, was organized by Ms. Udula Sedara, Environment Officer of PMU (Project Management Unit), Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The PMU and DPDO (Deputy Project  Director  Office) staff participated in this workshop.

Demonstrating a Drum Seeder in Ranorawa and Mahanikawewa, Anuradhapura

A demonstration programme on a Drum Seeder was held in Ranorawa and Mahanikawewa cascades in Anuradhapur District under Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP).

Row seeding in paddy field by using Drum Seeder and Eng. Balasooriya is explaining

The major benefit on this system is that the drum seeder itself can be also placed on any type of soil. Then seeding can be done easily , quickly and evenly by this drum seeder. In row seeding, the seeds are sowed in furrows made by the boot of the planter and evenly covered with loose soil to a given depth. This ensures uniform sprouting and plant development and simultaneous maturation.

Eng. Chinthaka Balasooriya of Farm Mechanization Training Centre explained the advantages of using Drum Seeder to farmers.