Four Tanks renovated in NWP at a cost of Rs 13.42M declared open by the CSIAP

 Four tanks such as Galatabedi wewa, Katupitigama wewa, Kumbukgete wewa, and Ambagaha wewa located in the Ambanpola Agricultural Service Center area in Kurunegala District renovated at a cost of Rs 13.42 million by the Deputy Project Director’s Office of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in North Western Province (NWP) were declared open recently and handed over to farmers to use for agricultural activities. 164 farming families living in the area will be benefited from these four tanks

The Provincial Office of the CSIAP in NWP has already started renovating 141 tanks in the provinces investing Rs 1661 million to boost the agricultural economy which leads to improving the livelihood of the farming community in the project area. As the chief guest, the Provincial Secretary of Agriculture Mr. D. M .K. Chandana  Dissanayake unveiled plaques of tanks and poured pots of milk into tanks to mark the opening.  Deputy Project Director of CSIAP in NWP Mr. W.M.S Wijesinghe opened sluice gates and handed certificates of completing the renovation of tanks to farm organizations. Invitees to the event planted trees and a traditional ceremony was also held to bless the cultivation and farming community too.

The Divisional Secretary in Ambanpola Mrs. H.M.C.J. Herath, Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture Mr. P. Sisira Kumara, Director of Provincial Irrigation Mr. W. Kamalsiri, around fifty government officers representing provincial departments,  over 120 farmers, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP in NWP Mr. W.M.S Wijesinghe and his staff attended this programme.

Story and Photographs by Chamara Basnayake (Agriculture Facilitator), Rajanganaya ASC, NWP

A First-Ever Vegetable Shop in NWP to Sell Surplus Organic Home Garden Harvest

The Deputy Project Director’s Office of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in the North Western Province (NWP) is encouraging farmers to operate Vegetable Shops to sell surplus organic produce from their home gardens. This initiative aims to provide farmers with an additional source of income while promoting sustainable, chemical-free farming practices. Organic home gardening, promoted by the CSIAP, emphasizes growing plants without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, using only natural inputs. This method replenishes natural resources and supports environmental sustainability. To date, approximately 16,762 Climate Smart Home Gardens have been established across NWP.

Investment in Vegetable Shops
The provincial office has planned an investment of Rs. 1.6 million to inaugurate 36 vegetable shops across the province. These shops will sell not only fresh vegetables but also eggs from backyard poultry and value-added products such as turmeric and chili powder. By creating a direct link between farmers and consumers, these shops offer fresh, locally produced food while helping farmers build personal relationships with their customers.

Inauguration of the First Shop
The first vegetable shop, owned by Mrs. K.M. Indrani Kusumalatha, was inaugurated in Vadurassa village under the Ambanpola Agrarian Service Center in Kurunegala district. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Mr. D.M.K. Chandana Dissanayake, Provincial Secretary of Agriculture, and Mrs. H.M.C.J. Herath, Divisional Secretary of Ambanpola.

Dignitaries and Participants
The event was attended by Mr. P. Sisira Kumara, Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Mr. W. Kamalsiri, Director of Provincial Irrigation, around forty government officers representing various provincial departments, over 120 farmers, and Mr. W.M.S. Wijesinghe, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP in NWP, along with his staff.

Impact on Rural Communities
Vegetable Shops are a vital part of the rural economy, offering consumers easy access to fresh, home-grown produce while enabling farmers to earn additional income and strengthen community ties. The initiative reflects CSIAP’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and rural development in the North Western Province.

Story and Photographs by Chamara Basnayake (Agriculture Facilitator), Rajanganaya ASC, NWP 

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.