The CSIAP Northern Province Plants 1,800 Trees to Strengthen Cascade Ecosystems

Tree Plantation Drive Implemented Across Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts Under Cascade Management Plans

The Deputy Project Director’s Office of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) – Northern Province successfully carried out a large-scale tree plantation programme recently, planting 1,800 trees across six Agrarian Service Centre (ASC) divisions in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. The initiative was implemented as part of the Cascade Management Plan, with the objective of restoring ecosystems, enhancing environmental resilience, and supporting climate-smart agriculture practices in the northern province.

 A variety of environmentally and economically valuable tree species—including Neem, Indian beech (Pungan), Mee, Arjun, and Mahua—were planted, contributing to soil conservation, biodiversity enhancement, and long-term livelihood benefits for farming communities.

Tree Plantations Implemented in Kilinochchi District
In the Kilinochchi District, a total of 1,200 trees were planted across four cascades under three Agrarian Service Centres:

• Pandivetti Cascade – 300 trees planted under Mulankavil ASC
• Mallikai Aru Cascade – 300 trees planted under Akkarayan ASC
• Paththinippai Cascade – 300 trees planted under Poonagary ASC
• Siththanodai Upper Cascade – 300 trees planted under Poonagary ASC

These plantations aim to strengthen watershed protection, reduce land degradation, and improve the sustainability of irrigation systems within the cascade areas.

Plantation Activities in Mullaitivu District
In the Mullaitivu District, 600 trees were planted across two major cascades:

• Peraru Cascade – 300 trees planted under Puthukkudiyiruppu ASC
• Kachchakodi Aru Cascade – 300 trees planted under Mulliyawalai ASC

The selected locations were identified based on ecological needs and their potential to enhance water retention, reduce erosion, and support climate resilience in farming landscapes.

Leadership, Guidance, and Environmental Oversight
The programme was conducted under the guidance and supervision of Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP – Northern Province. Ms. S. Kesiga, Environmental Safeguard Officer of CSIAP – Northern Province, played a key role in coordinating and overseeing the environmental aspects of the plantation activities, ensuring alignment with safeguard standards and sustainability objectives.

Contributing to Climate-Smart and Sustainable Agriculture
This tree plantation initiative reflects CSIAP’s broader commitment to integrating environmental conservation with agricultural development. By strengthening cascade ecosystems, the project contributes to improved water management, enhanced climate resilience, and long-term benefits for farming communities in the Northern Province. 

The CSIAP Staff Celebrate the Commencement of Work for the New Year 2026

Today, January 1, 2026, marked the first working day for the staff of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The Project Management Unit (PMU) staff celebrated the occasion with a small yet meaningful gathering this morning, which included lighting of the oil lamp, a speech by the Project Director Mr. Saman Bandulasena, and the sharing of Kiribath (milk rice) along with other sweetmeats.

 Addressing the staff, the Project Director said, "As we welcome 2026, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all our staff and stakeholders. May the New Year bring you good health, happiness, and continued success.

The CSIAP sincerely thanks all officers, drivers, and team members who dedicated their time and effort to the successful closure of the Project. Your professionalism, commitment, and unwavering support have been instrumental in achieving CSIAP’s objectives and leaving a lasting positive impact on the farming communities we served. We acknowledge and deeply appreciate your invaluable contributions throughout the life of the Project. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey."

He added, "The past six years have been a testament to our collaborative efforts in the project area. Together, we have achieved significant milestones, overcome challenges, and laid a strong foundation for future success. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished and the positive impact we continue to make as we move forward toward achieving CSIAP’s goals. Leading such a talented and passionate team has been a profound privilege. Your collective efforts have not only advanced CSIAP’s objectives but have also fostered a spirit of camaraderie and shared purpose. Again, I wish you a Happy New Year. May 2026 be a year of great accomplishments, personal growth, and success."

The event was attended by CSIAP specialists and officers, who joined in the celebration and welcomed the New Year with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Photographs by Gayani Dassanayake, PMU-CSIAP

The CSIAP Wishes You a Happy and Prosperous 2026

Celebrating the Successful Completion of the Project (2019–31 December 2025)

As we welcome the New Year 2026, the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) extends its warmest wishes to all stakeholders, partners, farmer communities, and staff for a year filled with good health, peace, and prosperity.

This New Year marks a historic milestone for the CSIAP, as the Project successfully completed all planned project tasks on 31 December 2025, bringing to a close its implementation period from 2019 to 31 December 2025. Over these six years, the CSIAP has played a pivotal role in advancing climate-resilient irrigated agriculture across Sri Lanka through sustained investments in infrastructure development, farmer capacity building, institutional strengthening, and market-oriented agricultural practices.

The achievements realised during this period are the result of strong collaboration and unwavering commitment from farmer organisations, government institutions, development partners, and the dedicated CSIAP team at national, provincial, and field levels. Together, these efforts have strengthened rural livelihoods, enhanced agricultural productivity, and improved the resilience of farming communities to climate change. The impacts of these efforts will continue well beyond the project’s lifespan, supporting livelihoods and contributing to national food security.

As the CSIAP transitions from implementation to legacy, the foundations laid between 2019 and 2025 will continue to deliver long-term benefits to the agricultural sector and the nation. We express our sincere gratitude to all who contributed to this journey and take pride in the lasting impact created through collective action.

With hope and optimism, the CSIAP looks forward to the future inspired by the successes of the past.

Happy New Year 2026!

The CSIAP Honours Departing Officers and Drivers for Their Dedicated Service

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) recently paid tribute to a group of officers and drivers who are concluding their service with the Project upon the completion of their respective contract periods. Their collective dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment have played a significant role in the successful implementation of the CSIAP interventions across 11 districts of sex provinces where the CSIAP is being implemented in Sri Lanka, leaving behind a strong and lasting legacy.

Among the departing officers are Dr. Kumudini Gunasekara, Agri-Business & Market Linkage Development Specialist, and Ms. G. Kaumadi, Climate Smart Agriculture Officer, who were present at the ceremony. Mr. G.A.M.D. Gunarathne, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, was unable to attend the event due to unavoidable reasons; however, the CSIAP sincerely acknowledges and appreciates his valuable contributions to the successful implementation of the Project.  

Throughout their tenure, these officers provided critical technical leadership and guidance in key thematic areas of the Project. Their efforts contributed substantially to strengthening farmer-market linkages, ensuring robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems, and promoting the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices across project districts. Their professional expertise, strategic insight, and dedication greatly enhanced the effectiveness, quality, and sustainability of the CSIAP’s development outcomes.

In addition to the officers, the CSIAP also acknowledged the invaluable service rendered by its drivers—Mr. W.A.W. Ananda, Mr. H.A. Wimalarathna, Mr. D.G.P.T. Gunathilaka, and Mr. R.D.P. Rajapaksha—who are also departing upon the completion of their contract periods. Throughout the Project lifecycle, they ensured the safe, timely, and reliable transportation of CSIAP staff across diverse and often challenging terrain, including long-distance travel from Colombo to remote project areas. Their discipline, professionalism, and unwavering sense of responsibility formed an essential backbone of project operations, enabling uninterrupted field engagement and contributing quietly yet decisively to the Project’s overall success.

In recognition of their outstanding service and commitment, all departing officers and drivers were honoured with tokens of appreciation at a special ceremony held yesterday at the Project Management Unit, under the patronage of Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director. The ceremony provided an opportunity to express the Project’s deep gratitude for the hard work, dedication, and courage demonstrated by these individuals throughout the Project lifecycle.  

During the ceremony, tokens of appreciation were presented personally by senior project staff:  
* Dr. Kumudini Gunasekara received her token from Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director
* Ms. G. Kaumadi received her token from Mr. K.V. Athula, Deputy Project Director
* Mr. W.A.W. Ananda received his token from Mr. D.V. Bandulasena, Institutional Development & Capacity Building Specialist
* Mr. H.A. Wimalarathna received his token from Mr. Frank Jayasinghe, Climate Smart Agriculture Specialist
* Mr. D.G.P.T. Gunathilaka received his token from Ms. P.G.A.D. Premathilake, Environmental & Social Safeguard Specialist 
* Mr. R.D.P. Rajapaksha received his token from Mr. N.A.I.U.K. Nissanka, Water Management & Monitoring Specialist

As the CSIAP concludes its implementation phase, the Project will fondly remember the valuable contributions of these officers and drivers. CSIAP extends its best wishes for continued success in their future professional and personal endeavours. The impact of their service will endure through strengthened institutions, empowered farming communities, and resilient agricultural systems that stand as a testament to their commitment and contribution to the CSIAP’s mission.

The CSIAP Empowers Farmers through Market Linkages and Value Chains

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) adopted a comprehensive, value chain–oriented strategy to enhance agricultural commercialization, farmer incomes, and institutional strength among smallholder farmers. Key interventions included the formation and strengthening of Producer Societies (PSs), facilitation of market linkages, development of selected value chains, investments in post-harvest management, and extensive capacity building of farmers. Together, these interventions addressed critical constraints across production, processing, and marketing, enabling farmers to better integrate into competitive markets.

Market Linkages and Income GenerationThrough targeted market facilitation efforts, the project successfully established 63 market linkages, directly benefiting 3,193 farmers. These linkages enabled the sale of 5,484 metric tons of agricultural produce, generating a total income of Rs. 1,946.11 million. This outcome reflects strong market integration and improved access to reliable buyers, significantly increasing income opportunities for participating farmers. The structured engagement with markets helped farmers reduce dependency on intermediaries, improve price realization, and gain confidence in commercial agriculture.

Institutional Strengthening through Farmer Business School
A cornerstone of the project’s institutional development approach was the Farmer Business School (FBS) program. Through FBS, 11,859 farmers graduated from structured training programs focused on agribusiness management, entrepreneurship, and market-oriented farming. These trainings strengthened farmers’ skills in planning, record keeping, cost-benefit analysis, and decision-making, laying the foundation for sustainable agricultural enterprises and long-term resilience of farming communities.

Advanced Capacity Building and Exposure
Beyond FBS, the project provided customized training programs and exposure visits tailored to the needs of individual farmers and groups. A total of 47 trainings and exposure visits benefited 1,392 farmers, enhancing their capacities in value addition, quality improvement, packaging and labeling, and new product development. The impact of these capacity-building efforts was clearly demonstrated through farmer participation in provincial-level trade fairs, expanded market reach, and documented success stories highlighting improved business performance.

Strengthening Producer Societies and Market Connectivity
The project identified 41 Producer Societies for registration as cooperative societies, with 13 PSs achieving readiness for formal registration. This progress marks an important step toward building legally recognized, collective farmer institutions with stronger bargaining power and improved access to inputs and services. In parallel, 38 PSs were successfully linked to markets, including 11 linkages formalized through sales agreements. These arrangements created stable commercial relationships, enabling consistent supply, better price negotiations, and participation in formal market systems.

Trade Fairs and Agribusiness Promotion
To promote agricultural commercialization, agri-entrepreneurship, and Business-to-Business (B2B) engagement, the project supported the organization of three trade fairs. These platforms connected producers with buyers, processors, and service providers. Seventy-four beneficiary farmers from 22 PSs participated, showcasing their products, expanding commercial networks, and establishing 14 B2B linkages, demonstrating improved value addition and market readiness.

Post-Harvest Infrastructure and Partnerships
Significant investments were made in post-harvest management. A 1,000 MT grain storage facility and Other Food Crops (OFC) store was constructed and operationalized at Koolamurippu, Mullaitivu, through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model. In addition, 2,853 tarpaulins were distributed to 9,991 farmers, facilitating improved handling of approximately 1,706 MT of produce and reducing post-harvest losses. Strategic partnerships, including collaboration with Mullai Agribusiness Limited, further strengthened a harmonized market access mechanism for PSs.

Overall Impact
Collectively, these achievements demonstrate a holistic and integrated approach to agricultural development. By strengthening institutions, enhancing skills, improving post-harvest practices, and forging sustainable market partnerships, the project significantly improved livelihoods, economic viability, and competitiveness of CSIAP beneficiary farmers and rural enterprises in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.
Dr. Kumudini Gunasekara, Agri-Business & Market Linkage Development Specialist, PMU, CSIAP

Strengthening Rural Connectivity in the NCP through Agri-Road Development

 The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP)—a World Bank-supported initiative implemented under Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation—continues to deliver tangible benefits to farming communities through targeted rural infrastructure development. Among its key interventions, the rehabilitation and construction of agricultural access roads (agri-roads) in the Northern Central Province (NCP) stands out as a critical enabler of farmer livelihoods and market access.

Significant Progress in Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa Districts
In the Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa Districts, the CSIAP has successfully rehabilitated and constructed 21 agri-roads in 2025, directly benefiting 1419 farmer families engaged in irrigated agriculture. These road interventions serve farming lands covering an extent of 2725 acres, at a total investment of Rs. 83.617 million, demonstrating the project’s strong commitment to cost-effective and farmer-centric infrastructure development.

The agri-roads developed under this programme are located within the Parangiyawadiya, Koonwewa and Hingurakgoda Agrarian Service Centre divisions. Collectively, they support agricultural activities linked to 21 irrigation tanks functioning under 13 cascade systems, highlighting the CSIAP’s integrated approach that aligns rural road development with irrigation-based agricultural landscapes. With a total length of 22,590 metres, these agri-roads provide vital connectivity between farmlands, irrigation networks, village settlements, and main transport routes.

Improving Access for Rural Farmers
One of the CSIAP’s core objectives is to enhance agricultural productivity and market integration by improving physical access in rural areas. The newly rehabilitated and constructed agri-roads enable farmers to transport inputs such as seed, fertilizer, and equipment more easily, while also facilitating the timely movement of harvested produce to collection centres, markets, and processing facilities.

By reducing travel time, transport costs, and post-harvest losses, these roads contribute directly to improved farm incomes and greater efficiency across the agricultural value chain. The improved connectivity is especially crucial during peak cultivation and harvesting seasons, when timely access can determine profitability.

Why These Roads Matter
For many village-level farmers in the NCP, poor road conditions have long been a barrier to economic progress. Limited access to reliable transport networks has constrained market participation, weakened links with agribusinesses, and increased dependence on intermediaries.

The CSIAP agri-road interventions address these long-standing challenges by creating safer, more reliable, and climate-resilient access routes. Beyond their physical function, the improved roads have boosted farmer confidence and morale, encouraging sustained engagement in commercial agriculture and collective farming initiatives. Stronger market connections are also opening new opportunities for diversification and value addition within rural communities.

Part of a Broader Rural Development Strategy
The agri-road programme is an integral component of the CSIAP’s broader rural development framework, which includes irrigation system rehabilitation, capacity building through farmer training, and the promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices. By combining infrastructure development with institutional strengthening and knowledge transfer, the CSIAP aims to build resilient farming systems capable of withstanding climate variability while ensuring long-term productivity.
 
Together, these interventions are contributing to the transformation of rural landscapes across the NCP, strengthening food security, enhancing livelihoods, and supporting Sri Lanka’s transition toward sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture.
 
By M.M.Malithi Dewmini, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, North Central Province

The CSIAP Erects 512 Solar-Powered Animal Fences at a Cost of Rs. 1,137.77 Million

Crop damage caused by wild elephants is a major challenge faced by paddy farmers in Sri Lanka. Traditional methods of protecting fields, such as night guarding and erecting temporary barriers, are costly, time-consuming, and often ineffective. To address this issue, the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) has introduced solar-powered seasonal electric fences as a sustainable and cost-effective solution. These fences, installed at the field boundary, are temporary structures that can be easily assembled at the beginning of the cultivation season and removed after harvesting.

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) has installed 512 solar-powered animal fences across its project areas, protecting 21,338.5 hectares of farmland and benefiting 41,418 farming families during the project period. The project allocated Rs. 1,137.77 million for the construction of these fences, enhancing farm protection and contributing to improved agricultural productivity. 
These fences are designed to protect crops and reduce human–wildlife conflict, providing a community-friendly solution that is easy to install and dismantle. This allows wildlife to move freely during off-seasons while safeguarding farmland during cultivation periods.

 Phased Implementation of Fencing
The implementation of animal fencing has b
een carried out in two phases. Phase I involved the erection of 243 fences covering 8,172.6 hectares, directly benefiting 24,714 farmer families. Phase II added 269 fences across 13,165.9 hectares, supporting an additional 16,704 farmer families. The CSIAP has installed 512 solar-powered animal fences across its project areas, protecting 21,338.5 hectares of farmland and benefiting 41,418 farming families during the project period. The project allocated Rs. 1,137.77 million for the construction of these fences, enhancing farm protection and contributing to improved agricultural productivity.

Provincial Distribution and Coverage
The distribution of fences under both phases across provinces is as follows:The distribution of the 512 fences across provinces highlights CSIAP’s wide-reaching impact: 17 fences in Northern Central Province (NCP), 41 in Southern Province (SP), 96 in Eastern Province (EP), 155 in North Western Province (NWP), 143 in Northern Province (NP), and 60 in Uva Province (UP), ensuring comprehensive coverage and support for farmers across 11 districts in hotspot areas where the CSIAP is being implemented.

Initiative to Reduce Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC)
Human-elephant conflict (HEC) poses a severe risk to farmers in the CSIAP project areas. Reports indicate that many farmers enter their fields fearing for their lives, with some having been attacked by elephants while guarding their paddy lands, and in tragic cases, losing their lives. This situation has created a climate of fear, preventing farmers from working safely and affecting agricultural productivity.

 Solar-Powered Electric Fences: A Solution
To address HEC and protect farmers, the project introduced solar-powered electric fences across the provinces. These fences offer multiple benefits:

• Enhanced Productivity: Farmers have observed significant increases in crop yields due to reduced intrusion by wildlife, protecting fields from damage.
• Financial Savings: The cost of maintaining solar-powered fences is lower than traditional methods of field protection, making it a cost-effective solution.
• 
  Reduced Human-Wildlife Conflict: By protecting crops without harming elephants, the initiative promotes coexistence and environmentally sustainable conflict mitigation.
• Farmer Empowerment: The initiative encourages collective responsibility among farmers and strengthens farmer organizations, fostering community-based solutions

Electric fencing supports sustainable agriculture, strengthen food security, and improve livelihoods for farming communities in project areas. Farmers receive hands-on training on fence installation, maintenance, and safe operation, ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the fences and promoting community ownership of the intervention. 

By P.G. Aruni Premathilake , Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist, PMU, CSIAP