The CSIAP Establishes CMCs to Enhance Living Standards and the Environment

Strengthening the institutional framework within irrigation cascades has been identified as a key requirement for the effective management of cascade systems. Accordingly, the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is establishing Cascade Management Committees (CMCs) comprising Farmer Organizations and local-level officials to manage water, land, and related natural resources at the cascade level. The overarching objective of the CMCs is to restore and improve watershed systems through integrated management, while promoting sustainable use of water and natural resources to enhance the living standards of rural communities. 

Establishment of CMCs in the Southern Province
Taking the initiative at the provincial level, the Deputy Project Director’s Office of CSIAP in the Southern Province organized an awareness programme on CMCs, which was held recently at the Divisional Secretariat Auditorium in Tissamaharama. Under the project, CSIAP plans to establish 60 CMCs across the project area, including 20 in the North Western Province, 10 in the North Central Province, 10 in the Northern Province, seven in the Eastern Province, seven in the Southern Province, and six in the Uva Province.

Importance of the Cascade System 
The meeting was presided over by Mr. P. H. Sumanasekara, District Secretary of Hambantota. A special lecture was delivered by Mr. Prabath Vithana, former Head of the Water Management Division of the Department of Agrarian Development and retired Chief Engineer, who emphasized the social, economic, and environmental importance of the cascade system and its role in sustainable rural development. 

Multi-Stakeholder Participation
The awareness programme saw the participation of approximately 120 participants, including heads of line agencies, field officers, and other relevant stakeholders. Their active engagement reflected a strong commitment to strengthening cascade management institutions and promoting sustainable water and land resource management to improve environmental conditions and rural livelihoods.

By R.P.M. Dissanayake, Institutional Development & Capacity Building Specialist, SP, CSIAP

Over 9973 Home Gardens in UP enhance household food security and well-being

Home gardens give more benefits to CSIAP farmers. It can be categorized into social, economic and environmental benefits. The most fundamental social benefit of home gardens stems from their direct contributions to household food security by increasing the availability, accessibility and utilization of food products.  Home gardens established have been maintained for easy access to fresh vegetables and fruits at the Grama Niladhari Division level where the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is being implemented.  Food items from home gardens add substantially to the family's energy and nutritive requirements on a continuous basis. The CSIAP is planning to provide and
encourage farmers to  raise egg-laying poultry birds for egg production too.

The Deputy Project Director’s Office (DPDO) of the CSIAP in Uva Province forms around 9973 home gardens in the Agrarian Serve Center area of Buttala. Grow bags, seeds and plants were already given to farmers to implement home garden programmes in the area. The officials of DPDO visited  14 home gardens to see their progress with Agriculture Instructor (Kukurampola  Range) Mr. R.M.P.Ramanayake recently. Instructions were given to framers to improve  their home gardens further by Mr. Ramanayake

Story and Photographs by R. Dushyanthan (Agriculture Facilitator), Buththala ASC, UP

The CSIAP's National Steering Committee Meeting commences at MoA

 The 09th National Steering Committee Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) commenced this morning (24th) at the Ministry of Agriculture and was chaired by Mrs. Lathisha P. Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development). Provincial Chief Secretaries representing provinces where the CSIAP is being implemented, top officials of the World Bank, implementing agencies and officers of the Provincial Deputy Project Directors’ Office joined the meeting via video conferencing technology.

Eng. R. M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director led the CSIAP’s team which included Deputy Project Directors, Subject Specialists and officers at this meeting. Dr. (Ms) E. R. S. P. Edirimanna, Additional Secretary (Agri Technology). Mrs. M. M. Renuka Rathnayaka, Director (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. A. H. M. L. Abeyrathne, Commissioner General, Mr. R. Vijayakumar, Commissioner (Development) of the Department of Agrarian Development and Mr. Nuwan Weerasooriya, Assistant Director, Climate Change Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment were also present in this meeting. Please click Images to see more photos of the event.

Photograhs by Gayani Dasanayake, PMU, CSIAP

Recruitment of the CSIAP’s Staff 2023

The Progress Review Meeting of the CSIAP commenced at the MoA

The Progress Review Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) chaired by Mr. Gunadasa Samarasinghe, the Secretary was held at the Ministry of Agriculture this morning (17th). The Provincial Progress Reports presented via video conferencing by six Provincial Deputy Project Directors of the CSIAP were reviewed by  Mrs. Lathisha P. Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development) and Mrs. M. M. Renuka Rathnayaka, Director (Development) of the Ministry. Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, CSIAP, led the team of Subject Specialists of the CSIAP at this meeting. Please click Images to see more photos of the meeting.

Residential Training on Manioc-Based Value Addition Held in Northern Province

A three-day residential training programme on manioc-based value addition was recently organized for officers and farmers of the Northern Province at the Cathy Rich Food Processing Center in Embilipitiya. The event was conducted by the Deputy Project Director’s Office (NP) of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The programme aimed to enhance food security, nutrition, and income generation by promoting value-added foods—crops or products improved through processing, fortification, better packaging, and extended storage.

Benefits of Value-Added Foods
Value-added foods provide multiple benefits, including improved nutrition, greater income for producers, access to new markets, reduced waste, and enhanced food safety. By introducing manioc-based products, the training emphasized cost-effective alternatives to wheat-based foods, offering higher nutritive value and greater versatility in preparation.

Participants and Focus Areas
Representing the Northern Province, 4 Agriculture Instructors, 3 Agriculture Facilitators, and 16 small entrepreneurs—including 10 female participants—attended the programme. Most entrepreneurs specialized in cassava chip production and bakery manufacturing. The training focused on diversifying manioc-based products such as sago, biscuits, and cakes, rather than replacing wheat flour, which has become scarce due to recent economic challenges in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts.

Hands-On Training and Practical Skills
Participants received hands-on training in the preparation of manioc flour, manioc starch, manioc cake, manioc sago, and manioc biscuits. Group activities included designing labels, selecting suitable packaging materials, and troubleshooting technical challenges in packaging and processing. The programme also covered identification of raw materials and processing equipment, as well as guidance on sourcing packaging materials and operating equipment effectively.

Impact and Future Prospects
By equipping farmers and small entrepreneurs with practical skills and knowledge on manioc-based value addition, CSIAP aims to strengthen local food production, improve nutrition, and enhance income opportunities. The training reflects the project’s commitment to promoting sustainable, climate-smart agricultural practices and supporting rural livelihoods in the Northern Province.

Story by R. Sanjeepan (Institutional Development & Capacity Building Specialist), NP, CSIAP 

The CSIAP launches the first-ever drone spraying service in the project area

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) launches its first-ever Drone spraying services for farmers and officers in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts recently. This Drone services will help farmers gain better and uniform spraying across their crops and address the farm labour shortage. The advanced technology of drone spraying will save farmers' time and ensure their safety from higher exposure to liquid pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides.

This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) could help agriculture operations by monitoring crop growth and increasing crop output too. This UAV is capable of spraying crops with fertilizers or pesticides. Unlike a traditional Knapsack sprayer, drones can spray crops more precisely. It can be used to spray an even amount of liquid in all necessary sections, so there’s no risk of overdosing crops. Drone spraying service will be introduced to the other areas where the CSIAP is being implemented.

 The demonstration of the drone spray service was conducted in the presence of farmers and officers by Eng. K. Arulvaratharjaah, Nilaveli Lagoon (Pvt) Ltd at Government Seed Production Farm, Paranthan, Kilinochchi recently. This high-efficiency drone is capable of operating twenty-five times faster than a traditional knapsack sprayer. Agrochemical was sprayed in 2 hectares of paddy field within 30 minutes efficiently in front of the participants by this drone. Before the demonstration, a group discussion was conducted regarding the drone technology, use of organic pesticides and fertilizers in drone sprayer, advantages, disadvantages and limitations, of drone sprayer delays in getting security approvals and economic analysis of drone application.  Around 122 personnel including 31 females participated in this event.

Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director (NP), Subject Specialists and officers of the CSIAP organized and coordinated the demonstration. Officials of Field Crops Research Development Centre (Kilinochchi), Animal Production & Health (Kilinochchi), Seed & Planting Material Development Centre (Kilinochchi), Provincial Department of Agriculture (Kilinochchi), Provincial Department of Agriculture (Mullaitivu),  Government Departments, NGOs, private sector, Representatives of private companies, Seed producers, leaders of Farmer Organizations, members of Producer Societies and farmers were present in this demonstration programme.

Story by R. Sanjeepan (Institutional Development & Capacity Building Specialist), NP, CSIAP