World Bank Officials review the progress of the CSIAP in Eastern Province

 

Dr. Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader along with Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne and Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank supervised the rehabilitation of tanks, Crop Cultivation, Home Gardens, constructions of Agrowells during the Progress Review Meeting in the Eastern Province. Members of a Cascade Management Committee and Farmer Organization in Trincomalee had an opportunity to meet world bank officials too. Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara, Dr. R.M. Ariyadasa, Deputy Project Director (EP) and senior staff of the CSIAP were present.

The Progress Review Meeting of the CSIAP in Eastern Province by MIS

The Progress Review Meeting, which was a scheduled gathering where project stakeholders, come together to assess the status and advancement of activities of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in Eastern Province (EP), was held in the office of the Chief Secretary with  World Bank Officials in Eastern Province recently.  The purpose of this meeting is to evaluate the progress made, discuss any challenges encountered, and determine the next steps to ensure the project stays on track towards its goals. 

The speciality of this meeting is, for the first time ever, the CSIAP presented its provincial progress and operation by Management Information System (MIS ) which allows the CSIAP to have access to accurate data and powerful analytical tools to identify problems, and opportunities quickly and make decisions about its operations accordingly. On behalf of the CSIAP, MIS was designed by a leading software solution provider Celata Tech (Pvt )Ltd. Mr. R M P S Rathnayake, Chief Secretary, EP chaired this meeting. Ms. K.Karthiga, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, presented the progress achieved in the province by MIS. 

Representing the World Bank,  Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader attended this meeting with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant and Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne of the World Bank. Senior Officials of implementing agencies, Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara, Dr. R.M. Ariyadasa, Deputy Project Director (EP) and senior staff of the CSIAP were present.

Visiting FTS and meeting members of CMC in NCP by World Bank Officials

During the Progress Review Meeting in the North Central Province, the team of World Bank led by  Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader along with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne and Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank visited Farmer Training School (FTS) at Thirappane to see its current progress. They also engaged in a pleasant conversation with the farmers who were on a three-day residential programme to find out their views on the FTS.

World Bank Officials also participated in the meeting of the Cascade Management Committee (CMC) held at the National Institute of Post Harvest Management (NIPHM). Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara, Mr. S.M. Seelarathna, Deputy Project Director (NCP) and senior staff of the CSIAP were present. 

The Progress Review Meeting of the CSIAP in the North Central Province held

The Progress Review Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in the North Central Province (NCP) was held with the participation of the World Bank officials in the office of the Chief Secretary in the NCP recently. This meeting, which has been chaired by Mr. L.J.M.G.Chandrasiri Bandara, Chief Secretary, NCP, was held to assess the status and advancement of the CSIAP’s activities in the province and to discuss achievements, challenges, and next steps. The World Bank Officials visit every province once in six months to collaborate with others, stay aligned with the project goals, receive feedback, contribute to decision-making, and address challenges effectively.

The World Bank Team headed by Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader attended this meeting with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramarathne and Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank. Senior Officials of implementing agencies, Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara, Mr. S.M. Seelarathna, Deputy Project Director (NCP) and senior staff of the CSIAP were present. 

Youth Agri Entrepreneurship Model Villages Programme in Southern by the CSIAP

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Projector or the CSIAP  is investing Rs. 559 million to develop Kavantissapura and Julpallam villages located in Yodhakandiya Agriculture Service Center area of Hambantota as agricultural model villages. The CSIAP aims to develop these villages in tandem with the Youth Agri Entrepreneurship Model Villages Programme implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture. Agricultural inputs including seeds, micro-irrigation systems, insect-proof nets, polytunnels, and water pumps worth Rs. 40 million have been provided to these villages where there are about 4979 beneficiary farmers. The program to develop these two villages as model villages were declared opened by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, the Minister of Agriculture,  on 10^th this month in Kavanthissapura and Julpallam.

Under this model village programme, it plans to modernize agriculture, attract youth to agriculture, improve the living conditions of beneficiary farmers, promote climate smart agriculture technology, exchange experiences among beneficiary farmers and promote climate smart home gardens. Apart from this, the CSIAP takes the initiative to  support crops such as mangoes, oranges, papayas, pomegranates and wood apples, as well as flowers, mushrooms, chilies, capsicum and vegetables identified by the Participatory Rural Approach (PRA) which was carried out with the participation of the beneficiary farmers.

 Also, the CSIAP plans to rehabilitate tanks, agricultural roads, common & individual agro wells, and provide micro-irrigation systems, water pumps operated using solar panels, water motors operated by electricity and fuel, rainwater tanks to collect water for home gardens, polythene bags and seeds for home gardening. Cultivation in polytunnel, floriculture targeting sacred places and crop cultivation with micro irrigation in insect-proof nets will also be promoted. Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M. P. Bandara,  Deputy Project Director (Southern) Mr. Mahinda Suwandaarachchi, Specialists and Officers of the CSIAP were present in the programme which was organized by the  Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, CSIAP & Pathum Rasanjan, Ministry of Agriculture

Workshop on Cascade Management Committee and strengthening of FO

The two-day Workshop on Cascade Management Committee and strengthening of Framer Organization held at the Agrarian Training Institute at Phothuhera recently was charred by Eng. R. M. B. Rajakaruna, Project Director of Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project. Lectures on different topics were delivered as follows

• Operations and maintenance of rehabilitated tanks by Mr. ‘Sumith Chandana, Commissioner, DAD with R. P.M. Dissanayake, ID&CB Specialist (Southern), CSIAP
• Forming of Cascade Farmer Organization by Mr. R. Vijayakumar, Commissioner, DAD with Eng. N.A.I.U.K. Nissanka, WM Specialist (PMU), CSIAP
• Why CSIAP applies cascade management approach in the tank by Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant, the World Bank
• Is the Cascade Management Committee another jargon by Mr. Sarath Wickramarathna, Consultant, the World Bank
• Progress of Cascade Management Committee by Mr. D.V. Bandulasena, ID&CB Specialist (PMU), CSIAP
• Legalization of Cascade Management Committee under the Agrarian Development Act by Mr. Eranga Athapaththu, Assistant Commissioner, DAD.
• Presentation on Legalization of Cascade Management Committee  

 Subject Specialists and Officers of the CSIAP attended this workshop 

The First-Ever CSIAP Transect Walk Conducted in Babawa Cascade, SP

 

A transect walk, which is a serious of observations performed while walking across a geographical area (village, tank catchment, cascade, etc.) by observing, asking, listening, looking and producing a transect diagram, has been designed under the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) to collect essential data for developing future work plans of the Cascade Management Committees (CMCs). This hands-on approach enables the collection of vital information on natural resource use, water resources, and geographical features of cascades (Ellanga)—forming the foundation for a practical and sustainable management plan. The main objective of the transect walk is to create a detailed cascade profile that will support the development of a comprehensive management plan to enhance water productivity and ensure the long-term sustainability of the cascade ecosystem.  

Field Exercise in the Six Provinces
The Deputy Project Director’s Offices of CSIAP in North Western, North Central, Northern, Eastern, Uva and Southern provinces organised transect walks based on cascades in its project areas. The event brought together many participants, including officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Divisional Secretaries’ Offices, the Department of Forest Conservation, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Department of Archaeology, Department of Land Use Policy Planning, Farmer Organisations, the Department of Agrarian Development, and representatives from the CSIAP.  

Participants gathered at designated locations in each province under the patronage of the CSIAP Deputy Project Directors’ Offices. Prior to commencement, the objectives and methodology of the transect walk were clearly explained to all participants. Subsequently, the groups proceeded on the walk up to their respective designated destinations. 

Crossing the Cascade: Observations and Data Collection 
The participants were divided into groups, each starting from a different location to ensure full coverage of Cascade. Throughout the walk, the groups observed, studied, and collected data on the following key aspects: Soil variations and geographical features, Agricultural lands and mangrove ecosystems, Environmental degradation and tank-based ecosystem status, Wildlife presence (both harmful and harmless), Agricultural land use patterns, Misuse of forest reserves and related livelihood activities, Socioeconomic conditions of the local community and Damages caused by various constructions. At the end of the field activity, all groups reconvened at places where commenced their transect walk in the morning, to present their findings and share field experiences.

The CSIAP’s First-Ever Transect Walk Held in the Babawa Cascade
The first-ever transect walk planned under the CSIAP was yesterday (16th) organised by the Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP in the Southern Province in  the Babawa Cascade, marking a significant milestone in promoting participatory cascade management. The event brought together over 70 participants, including members of Cascade Management Committees and relevant government officials.

Participants gathered at the designated area of the Babawa Cascade and were divided into three groups. Each group undertook a transect walk from different starting points, collectively covering the entire Babawa Cascade up to the final reservoir, the Babawa Lake.

* The first group commenced their walk from the Ellanga boundary above Tabarawa Lake, passing through Tambarawa Lake, Muliththan Lake, Karabidangu Lake, Maila Gus Lake, Karuvala Bend, Rotawala Lake, Deiyange Lake, Bandu Lake, and Halemba Lake, before reaching Babawa Lake, covering a distance of approximately 10 km.

* The second group began their transect walk from Panagammana Tank, proceeding via Bandu Lake and Halemba Lake to Babawa Lake, covering around 11 km.

 * The third group started from Millatta Lake and walked through Julpatana Lake, Aliwala, Muwan Lake, and Mailattha, finally reaching Babawa Lake, covering a distance of approximately 8 km.

 This transect walk provided an important platform for stakeholders to observe cascade-level conditions firsthand, identify issues related to water management and ecosystem health, and strengthen coordination among community members and government institutions for sustainable cascade management.Mr. M.S.K. Suwandaarachchi, Deputy Project Director, and Mr. R.P.M. Dissanayake, Institutional Development and Capacity Building Specialist of the CSIAP at the Southern Provincial Office, led the transect walk with the support and active participation of the project staff

Building a Scientific Cascade Management Plan
Using the data and observations gathered during the transect walk, CSIAP aims to develop a scientific and practical cascade management plan. This plan will address critical issues related to hydrology, geology, geography, livelihood development, and local economic interconnections. It will also take into account existing and proposed constructions, ecosystem status, cropping patterns, irrigation management challenges, and command area linkages. Based on this information, new and detailed cascade maps will be created to support data-driven planning.

The Value of a Cascade Profile
Using this information from the Transect walk, CSIAP will develop a new series of cascade maps and profiles that highlight the interconnections between catchments and tank networks—providing a comprehensive understanding of the Ranorawa Cascade’s dynamics. A cascade profile is a vital management tool that illustrates the relationships among natural, agricultural, and human systems within a cascade. It helps identify resource use patterns, environmental challenges, biodiversity status, and socioeconomic realities of surrounding communities. This profile serves as a common reference for multiple agencies, encouraging collaboration and informed decision-making. It also supports farmers and local authorities by offering clear insights into land use, water availability, and ecosystem health.

Building Awareness and Cooperation
Beyond data collection, the transect walk promotes awareness and cooperation among stakeholders. It provides an opportunity for local politicians, policymakers, stakeholder institutions, and farming communities to understand the condition of their cascades and recognise the importance of proactive conservation measures. Through shared learning, the initiative strengthens coordination among institutions and communities, ensuring that natural resources are managed collectively and responsibly.

Towards Sustainable Rural Development
Through such scientific and community-driven initiatives, the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project continues its mission to empower Cascade Management Committees, enhance rural livelihoods, and promote the sustainable management of natural resources. The CSIAP’s long-term vision is to ensure that rural communities thrive in harmony with nature—protecting, conserving, and improving their village environments for generations to come. 

By Samantha Mallawaarchchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP