The World Bank Country Director s memories on the construction site of the FFS

Mr. Faris. H. Hadad-Zervos, Country Director, the World Bank arrived in Thirappane, Anuradhapura to lay foundation stones for the Farmer Field School (FFS) of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) alone with Ms. Chiyo Kanda, Country Manager and other world bank officials on 22nd this month.

Please click to watch warmly welcoming the World Bank Officials and laying foundation stones

1. Video   2. Slide Show  and    3. The Full Speech of the Country Director after laying foundation stones

And click to read 4. The full story of the Country Director’s vist at Thirappane

" We do everything to support you and move forward" the WB Country Director

I would like to know what more we can do to support you. What else we can do to move forward. I think it is very important said Mr. Faris. H. Hadad-Zervos, Country Director of the World Bank at a special ceromancy organized to lay the foundation stone to commence the construction work of the Farm Field School at Thirappane on 22nd this month. 

The World Bank Country Director, Ms. Chiyo Kanda, Country Manger and other officials were welcomed by Eng. R.M. B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, staff of the CSIAP and farmers, and escorted to the ceremonial ground by a cultural procession. The Country Director and Country Manager unveiled the plaque of the FFS. Secondly, distinguished guests planted saplings to remark the event and laid foundation stones with the Project Director, CSIAP and farmers.  The project Director of CSIAP made the welcome speech and the Country Director addressed the audience. Both male and female farmers had an opportunity to express their ideas on FFS to World Bank officials. Architect Mr. Sajith Sivayogaraj explained the architectural design of the FFS. The CSIAP’s North Central Province (NCP) led by Mr. Lakshman Premanath, Deputy Project Director (NCP) and his staff organized the above event. All participants were treated with traditional Sri Lankan sweets. 

The Country Director addresses the audience

I thought of coming to see the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project. But, you made us too much by planting trees and laying stones. It is an honour to be here I come from a family of farmers. My grandfather was a farmer in Lebanon. He was planting grapes. He moved to Mexico where my father was born. He was planting maize too. When I came here I understand that I have been to the farm. I understand what you have gone through. I understand the situation and challenges you have due to climate change, the country director added.

Continuing the speech, Mr. Hadad-Zervos said, I am so happy that this project is moving. There is an expression that a good gardener is always working with the best tools, not because of tools but because he is a good gardener. I do not want to say anything. I have nothing to give in terms of wisdom. You have infinitely more wisdom than I do. I would love to hear from you.

I think the role of the farmer is the most honourable job in the world. It is hard hard-working and sincere one. But I know every farmer including my family, wants their sons to become doctors and engineers. We have to make sure that you have productive work. You are able to realize the same ambition for your children, that I have for mine. Please keep letting us know through the project team what else we need to do, we promise.  I am very happy that work has been done. We accelerate and we will move faster. We have 900 water tanks systems to develop. We need to focus on this. Speed is more important.

Mr. S.Manoharan, Senior Consultant (Agriculture, Food & Rural Development), Dr. Athula Senaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist, Mr. Asela Dissanayake, Senior Operations Officer representing the World Bank office-Sri Lanka, representatives of the implementing agencies, Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Directors from the Project Management Unit and Provincial Offices, Specialists, other staff of the CSIAP and farmers were present in this ceromancy. 

The World Bank’s officials lay foundation stones for the FFS at Thirappane

Country Director and Country Manager unveil the plaque of FFS

Mr. Faris. H. Hadad-Zervos, Country Director, the World Bank, laid the foundation stones for the Farmer Field School (FFS)  of the  Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP)  alone with Ms. Chiyo Kanda, Country Manager and other world bank officials  yesterday (22) at Thirappane in Anuradhapura District

The CSIAP  has started to develop a simple, but fully-fledged the FFS named as Govipole Iskole or Wivasaya Patashala at Mannakulama Village of Thirappane in Anuradhapura District in a state land at close proximity to Wagayakulama Tank. The Farm Field School (FFS) of the CSIAP will be used to train farmers and extension officers in hotspot areas to give hands-on experience on Climate Smart Agriculture practices and technologies. It is expected to train  2,700 farmer leaders and 200 extension officers. The CSIAP will bear Rs 146.7 M from the total project cost of Rs 163.2 M of the project.

The FFS has been designed to fit into a  farming environment protecting environmental sustainability and will accommodate a maximum of 25 participants at a time. This FFS is located approximately 30km  South of Anuradhapura town in the North Central Province. It falls under the Thirappane Divisional Secretariat Division and the Thirappeney Agrarian Service Division.

Dr. Milinda Pathiraja of the University of Moratuwa did the architectural design of the  FFS.  Department of Agriculture is collaborating with the CSIAP in this project and will continue to engage in building the capacity of farmers and extension officers after the project.

Architect Mr. Sivayogaraj  explains the architectural design of the FFS and invitees enjoy traditional Sri Lankan sweets

The World Bank Country Director and other officials were welcomed by Eng. R.M. B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, staff of the CSIAP and farmers, and escorted to the ceremonial ground by a cultural procession. The Country Director and Country Manager unveiled the plaque to commence the construction work of the FFS there. Secondly, distinguished guests planted saplings to remark the event and laid foundation stones with the Project Director, CSIAP and farmers. The project Director of CSIAP made the welcome speech and Country Director addressed the audience. Both male and female farmers had an opportunity to express their ideas on FFS to world bank officials. Architect Mr. Sajith Sivayogaraj explained the architectural design of the FFS. The CSIAP’s North Central Province (NCP) led by Mr. Lakshman Premanath, Deputy Project Director (NCP) and his staff organized the above event. All participants were treated with traditional Sri Lankan sweets. 

The Country Director and Country Manager unveiled the plaque to commence the construction work of the FFS there. Secondly, distinguished guests planted saplings to the remark event with the Project Director, CSIAP and farmers, laid foundation stones

Escorting to the ceremonial ground, laying foundation stones and planting saplings

. The project Director of CSIAP made the welcome speech and Country Director addressed the audience. Both male and female farmers had an opportunity to express their ideas on FFS to world bank officials. Architect Mr. Sajith Sivayogaraj explained the architectural design of the FFS. The CSIAP’s North Central Province (NCP) led by Mr. Lakshman Premanath, Deputy Project Director (NCP) and his staff organized the above event. All participants were treated with traditional Sri Lankan sweets. 

Mr. S.Manoharan, Senior Consultant (Agriculture, Food & Rural Development), Dr. Athula Senaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist, Asela Dissanayake, Senior Operations Officer representing the World Bank office-Sri Lanka, representatives of the implementing agencies, Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Directors from the Project Mnagment Unit and Provincial Offices, Specialist, other staff of the CSIAP and farmers were present in this ceremony.

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

Setting out the building plan of the Farm Field School completed at Thirappane

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) completed setting out the building plan of the Farm Field School (FFS) on the ground yesterday (03rd) at Mannakkulama village of Thirappane in Anuradhapura District.   Dr. Milinda Pathiraja, who took over the architectural design of the FFS carried out setting up with his team to locate the position of the structural parts of the FFS as in the detailed drawing with geometrical construction.

The proposed school will train farmers in 11 districts of the six provinces (North Western, North Central, Northern, Eastern, Uva and Southern Provinces) where the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project being implemented and provide them with experience in climate change farming practices and technology. The FFS will cost Rs. 117 million which is funded by the World Bank. Dr. Milinda Pathiraja provides his services free of charge with his team.

The 2700 selected male and female farmers, 150 Extension Staff of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Development will be direct beneficiaries of the FFS, which is designed to be environmentally friendly and adapt to the farming environment. Those courses at FFS will cover Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices that can be applied in both Maha and Yala seasons in hot-spot areas, wetland paddy cultivation, upland cultivation, homestead cultivation and for the other field crops (OFCs).

On behalf of the Project Management Unit (PMU) of  the CSIAP, Deputy Project Director. Dr. Priyantha Weerasinghe and senior officials along with Mr. Lakshman Premanth, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP’s North Central Province and his staff attended this event. 

The CSIAP rehabilitates 32 Agro Wells in Uva Province at the cost of Rs. 9.6m

Mrs. V.G Ramani of Andawelayaya and Mr. M.H. Charlis of Neluwagala look on their Agro Wells 

Farmer Ramani cultivates turmeric with water obtained from her Agro Well

The Deputy Project Director’s Office of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) for Uva Province is moving forward with plans to rehabilitate 32 dilapidated Agro Wells in Monaragala district under the first phase of the initiative. This project aims to enable farmers to cultivate other field crops, fruits, vegetables, and plantation crops throughout the year in the Buttala, Wellawaya, and Thelulla Agrarian Service Center areas.

Out of the 32 Agro Wells, rehabilitation work on 28 Agro Wells has already commenced, and 4 Agro Wells have been successfully completed. The programme is estimated to cost Rs. 9.6 million, with Rs. 4.44 million already disbursed to beneficiaries. Farmers receive a 50% contribution from the project, subject to a maximum limit of Rs. 300,000 per Agro Well which serves as a vital groundwater resource, helping farmers in Sri Lanka’s dry zones overcome challenges posed by water shortages. By rehabilitating these Agro Wells, the project ensures sustainable water availability for crop cultivation and supports year-round agricultural productivity in the province.

The Physical & Financial Progress Review Meeting commences at the PMU

A very special meeting to discuss the progress achieved up to 28th  Nov 2021  and financial & physical targets, which are expected to complete in Dec 2021, is being held at the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The CSIAP’s top officials including Provincial Deputy Directors, Subject Specialists attend this meeting which is chaired by the Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna.

The CSIAP Lifts Living Standards of Farmers through Climate-Smart Cultivation

Agriculture Specailist Ms. Gunawardena, providing field-level guidance to farmer Jinasiri

Farming is the main livelihood in Senapura village, located in the Weerawila Agriculture Service Center area of Hambantota. Mr. S. Jinasiri (67) is one of the farmers who depends on agriculture for his family’s income. Together with his wife and two sons, he cultivates chili, green gram, and sesame on his land. Prior to the intervention of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), his earnings were barely sufficient to meet the family’s daily needs. With the technical guidance and continuous support of the Deputy Project Director’s Office (Southern Province), Mr. Jinasiri was introduced to improved farming methods that helped transform his livelihood.

 Adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture
During the Yala season, Mr. Jinasiri adopted several Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies promoted by the CSIAP. These included crop diversification by introducing green gram into paddy lands, construction of soil contour bunds across his entire 10-acre field, and the creation of small plots between contour lines for rainwater harvesting. He also improved water-use efficiency through a sprinkler irrigation system and enhanced soil fertility by applying organic manure and mulching.

Empowering Farmers Through Expert Support
Agriculture Specialist Ms. G.C.A. Gunawardena of  the Deputy Director’s Office of the CSIAP in  Southern Provincial Office provided technical guidance on CSA practices, offered continuous encouragement to farmers adopting new technologies, and assisted them in overcoming challenges in production and management. Her active involvement helped build farmers’ confidence, strengthen their skills, and ensured that project interventions were implemented effectively at the field level.

Farmer Jinasiri preparing his land

Increasing Income through Improved Practices 
Under the Seed Production Village Programme of the CSIAP, Mr. Jinasiri cultivated green gram on 2 acres using seeds supplied by the CSIAP and produced 550 kg of quality seed. By selling the produce at Rs. 650 per kilogram, he earned Rs. 357,500, marking a significant increase in his farm income.
Encouraged by this success, he expanded his cultivation during the same season. With CSIAP support, he cultivated chili (variety KA2) on 0.25 acres, using his sprinkler irrigation system to maximize water efficiency. He now expects a harvest of 500 kg of green chilies, with an anticipated income of approximately Rs. 250,000.

Sustaining Gains in the Maha Season
In the Maha season 2021/2022, Mr. Jinasiri applied CSA practices to cultivate sesame (variety Uma) on 1 acre of land. He prepared the field using initial rains, relied entirely on rainwater, practiced Integrated Pest Management (IPM), constructed contour bunds to control soil erosion, implemented rainwater harvesting techniques, and maintained plant density through thinning. He expects a harvest of 350 kg of sesame, generating an income of around Rs. 175,000.
 
Building a Resilient Future
Through targeted interventions, the CSIAP continues to make agriculture more productive, sustainable, and climate-resilient, improving the livelihoods of farmers living in climate-vulnerable hotspot areas across the country.