Systematic Inter-Season Cultivation introduced by CSIAP in Uva Province

The New Year 2024 celebration today at PMU, CSIAP, Sri Lanka

Today (01st) is the very first working day for the staff on the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The staff of the CSIAP celebrated the commencement of work for the New Year 2024 with a small celebration in this morning. The event included a speech from the Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna and having Kiribath (Milk Rice) with other sweetmeats.

Addressing staff, the Project Director said, as we stand on the threshold of a new year, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the remarkable journey we've shared and to extend my warmest wishes for the year ahead. The past year has been a testament to our collective dedication, passion, and resilience. Our collaborative efforts have made significant strides in working within the project area. Together, we have achieved significant milestones, overcome obstacles, and laid the foundation for future success.

As the Project Director, I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and the positive impact we continue moving forward to achieve the CSIAP’s goal. I am profoundly grateful for leading such a talented and passionate team. Your collective efforts have not only contributed to the CSIAP goals but have also fostered a spirit of camaraderie and shared purpose.

As we usher in the New Year, let us continue to build upon our achievements, embrace new opportunities, and strive for excellence in all our endeavours. May the coming year be filled with prosperity, growth, and countless moments of joy and fulfilment. Wishing you a Happy New Year. May 2024 be a year of great accomplishments, personal growth, and shared successes, Eng. Rajakaruna further added.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kidithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP

The Year-End National Project Steering Committee of the CSIAP held at MoA

The year-end  National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) was held at the Ministry of Agriculture recently. The NPSC meeting is chaired by Mr. Janaka Dharmakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture. The NPSC is set up at the Ministry of Agriculture to take the overall responsibility in executing the CSIAP. The NPSC will consist of key officials of the major stakeholder agencies of the central government, provincial government, private sector and the apex level community organizations mainly to provide policy guidance to the project and to ensure achieving CSIAP’s objectives.

The World Bank Officials, Chief Secretaries of provinces where the CSIAP is being implemented, Heads of Government Departments, Senior Officials of implementing agencies, Project Director and Provincial Deputy Project Directors joined the meeting remotely, and senior officials of the ministry and  CSIAP were also present in this meeting. 

Photograph by Nikeshala Kodithuwaku, PMU, CSIAP

The Year-End Progress Review Meeting of the CSIAP held with the World Bank

The Year-End Progress Review Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated agriculture Project (CSIAP) to assess performance, address challenges, ensure alignment with project objectives and stakeholder expectations and maintain momentum towards the successful completion of the project was held with the World Bank at the Project Management Unit (PMU), CSIAP recently. The CSIAP team led by Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director.

The World Bank team headed by Dr. Sheu Salau (Senior Agriculture Economist, Task Team Leader), Dr. Athula Senaratne (Senior Agriculture Specialist), Mr. Seenithamby Manoharan (Consultant – Agriculture & Rural Development), Ms. Nadeera Rajapakse (Environmental Specialist), Mr. Shanek Fernando (Social Development Specialist), Ms. Anula Harasgama (Sr. Financial Management Specialist), Ms. Heenaben Yatin Doshi (Sr. Procurement Specialist), Ms. Sithara Atapattu (Consultant – Environment), Mr. Jayantha Kankanamge (Consultant – Social), Mr. Udara Wijeratne (Consultant – ICT), Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne (FAO Consultant – Institutional Development) and Prof. Ravichandran Kannan (FAO Consultant - CSA Specialist ) attended this meeting.

Photograph by Nikeshala Kodithuwaku, PMU, CSIAP

DAD receives Rs. 30.31 Mn worth ICT Devices from CSIAP to boost agro-economy

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) handed a range of farm ICT devices worth Rs. 30.31 Mn over to the Department of Agrarian Development (DAD) to conduct training programmes for farmers in 47 Agrarian Service Center areas in 11 districts where the CSIAP is being implemented. The CSIAP’s Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna handed over devices to Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, secondly, the minister handed them over to Mr. A. H. M. L. Abeyrathna, Commissioner General of the DAD. The event took place at the Ministry this morning (21^st).

The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries welcomes the CSIAP's support in procuring these essential devices, which will go a long way in assisting farmers who may need further education and training at the field level to boost the agro-economy.  Devices, totalling 141 individual items, include 47 Multimedia Projectors, 47 Screens and 47 Laptops. 

Under ASC Digitalization programme, the CSIAP has provided two Agrarian Service Centers (ASCs) at Parangiyawadiya (North Central Province) and Weerawila (Southern Province) with 06 desktops, 02 Digital Smart Boards, 02 TVs and 02 Portable sound systems worth over Rs 5.7 Mn as a pilot project early this year.

Mr. Seenithamby Manoharan, Consultant - Agriculture, Food & Rural Development,  the World Bank, Mrs. Lathisha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development), Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries and Mr. Chaminda Ekanayake, Commissioner (Development) DAD were also present in this event. 

Photograph by Nikeshala Kodithuwaku, PMU, CSIAP

The World Bank MD and high level delegation visit the first ever FTS at Thirappane

World Bank Managing Director for Operations Ms. Anna Bjerde and Regional Vice-President South Asia Dr. Martin Raiser with the delegation from the World Bank, Asia Development Bank, JICA and USAID visited the Climate Smart Farmer Training School (FTS) in Thirappane yesterday (29th). The FTS was established for framer leaders by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP).  The purpose of their visit was to observe how the  FTS  is running to promote Climate Smart Agriculture and assess the progress of the CSIAP. This Farmer Training School will play a pivotal role in training and equipping farmers with hands-on experience in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices and cutting-edge agricultural technologies. According to the World Bank, the FTS at Thirappane is the first school established in South Asia to promote climate-smart agriculture.

The CSIAP Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna welcomed distinguished guests and presented the progress achieved so far and how the CSIAP moves forward to meet project objectives. Addressing the audience Ms. Bjerde Said the significance of a school for farmers in the region, focusing on climate-smart agriculture. She highlighted the changing weather patterns caused by climate change and how this school is equipping farmers with techniques to enhance productivity and resilience in crop production. She also mentioned three major benefits of this project: the transition to renewable energy, particularly solar power; increased and stable livelihoods, enabling children to access education, including higher education; and diversified and sustainable crop yields, ensuring better nutrition. She expressed pride in the World Bank’s support for this project and emphasised the need for more initiatives like this to address the challenges posed by climate change, both through mitigation and adaptation efforts. She hoped that the project could be sustained by building on the lessons and experiences demonstrating the positive impact on changing the lives and livelihoods of farmer communities.

Farmers who had undergone the three-day residential training programme on  Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture at the Farmer Training School received certificates during this event. Among those who attended the event were Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, State Minister of Finance Hon. Shehan Semasinghe, Former Minister Hon. Duminda Dissanayake, Asian Development Bank Country Director  Mr. Takafumi Kadono, World Bank Country Director for Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka Mr. Faris Hadad – Zervos, Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Ms. Chiyo Kanda, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Ms. Anjali Kaur, JICA Senior Vice President Ms. Sachiko Imoto, Mr. Janaka Dharmakeerthi, Secretary and Ms. Latheesha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture, officials of implementing agencies and CSIAP.

Memories of the World Bank MD and high level delegation's visit to the FTS

Memories of the World Bank Managing Director for Operations Ms. Anna Bjerde and Regional Vice-President South Asia Dr. Martin Raiser with the delegation from the World Bank, Asia Development Bank, JICA and USAID’s visit to the Climate Smart Farmer Training School (FTS), in Thirappane yesterday (29th). The FTS was established by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project.