The 12th National Project Steering Committee Meeting of the CSIAP commenced

The 12h National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is being held this morning (22^nd ) at the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries (MoA&PI). The NPSC meeting, which was chaired by Ms. Latheesha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development) of the MoA&PI, is vital for ensuring that the CSIAP’s initiatives are strategically guided, well-coordinated, and effectively implemented and contributing to the overall project’s development and progress.

The NPSC, which is  set up at the Ministry of Agriculture to take the overall responsibility in executing the CSIAP, will consist of key officials of the major stakeholder agencies of the central government, and provincial government,  mainly to provide policy guidance to the project and to ensure achieving CSIAP’s objectives. The World Bank Officials and Chief Secretaries of provinces where the CSIAP is being implemented joined the meeting remotely. The CSIAP team was led by Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna along with the Project Director, Provincial Deputy Project Directors and Subject Specialists in this meeting.

Photograph by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku. PMU, CSIAP

MoAPI reviews monthly progress of the CSIAP

The Monthly Progress Review meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), which serves as a critical checkpoint where the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, evaluates the CSIAP’s progress, addresses any issues and aligns their efforts to ensure the project stays on track, was held today (20th) at the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries (MoAPI).  This meeting was chaired by Mr. Janaka Dharmakeerthi, Secretary with Ms. Latheesha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development),  Ms. Anuradha Dharmasena, Director,  (Development)  of the MoAPI.  The CSIAP team was led by Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director.

Photograph by Nikeshala, Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP

30 Nutritious and Delicious One-Dish Meals for Household Nutritional Security

Promoting Household Nutritional Security 

Preparing healthy and affordable One-Dish Meals

In Sri Lanka, achieving a balanced meal remains a challenge, which contributes to food insecurity (UNICEF, 2023). To address this issue, a research team from the Department of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (WUSL) conducted a study to design One-Dish Meals (ODMs). These meals are intended to maximize the use of home garden produce and include underutilized and uncommon vegetables such as pumpkin, winged bean, mung bean, cowpea, and leafy greens.

The goal of the study was to develop nutritious, affordable, and high-satiety meals. The ODM concept ensures that a single meal provides a balanced ratio of calories, protein, fat, and carbohydrates, along with essential vitamins and minerals derived from plant-based ingredients (One-Dish-Meals-of-South-Asia, 2015).

Expanding the ODM Concept Nationwide
Following the success of sensory and satiety evaluations conducted by the WUSL team, the initiative was scaled up across Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries (MoA&PI) is implementing this intervention in collaboration with WUSL under the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), which is financed by the World Bank.

A Training of Trainers (ToT) programme was organized to equip resource persons with the skills to promote ODMs effectively. The ToT was conducted under the guidance of MoA&PI and implemented by the CSIAP with multi-sectoral collaboration. A total of 93 participants attended, including 14 from the educational sector, 5 from the health sector, 69 from the agricultural sector, and 5 from other relevant institutions. The practical session was held at the In-Service Training Center, Gannoruwa.

Benefits of the One-Dish Meal Concept
The ODM concept directly addresses key aspects of food security:
·       Food affordability: Meals are cost-effective and can be prepared with locally available ingredients.
·       Food accessibility: Ingredients are easily accessible through home gardens and local markets.
·       Food availability: Promotes the use of seasonal and underutilized crops.
·       Food utilization: Enhances dietary diversity and nutrient intake, particularly for vulnerable households.
 
At the conclusion of the ToT programme, participants gained knowledge on using underutilized and uncommon vegetables, enhancing household nutrition and dietary diversity.

 30 One-Dish Meals Prepared and Demonstrated
During the ToT programme, 30 nutritious and easy-to-prepare One-Dish Meals below were demonstrated. 

These include:
1-Waya Pumpkinach Melange | 2-Waya Pumpkinasia Patch | 3-Waya Murungasia Rice | 4-Waya Ashybean Sizzle | 5-Waya Beetanash Mix  | 6-Waya Pumpkileeks Savory | 7-Waya Cowpeanach Combo | 8-Waya Leeky Pea Carota |  9-Waya Ashleekin Medley | 10-Waya Leeky Cowpeanash | 11-Waya Long Lasiea | 12-Waya Chickpea Delight |  13-Waya Drumstick Bliss | 14-Waya Sweetpotato Savor | 15-Waya Veggie Burst |16-Waya Juneplums Medley | 17-Waya Split Pea Delight | 18-Waya Okra Medley | 19-Waya Star Bean Mix | 20-Waya Daikon Bliss | 21-Waya Brinjal Bounty | 22-Waya Brinjal Moringa Stir | 23-Waya Goober Soy Delight | 24-Waya Peanut Crunch | 25-Waya Baby Jackfruit Delicacy |26-Waya Moringasia Blend | 27-Waya Lasia Lotus Rice | 28-Waya Kohlrabi Stick | 29-Waya Munggo Sweet Mix | 30-Waya Vigna Jacky Mix  

These meals combine nutritional balance, affordability, and household-level accessibility, making them ideal for promoting food security across Sri Lankan communities

By  Rashmi Navanjana, Project Trainee, CSIAP

The World Bank reviews the overall progress of the CSIAP at the PMU

The overall Progress Review Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) was held this morning (03rd) at the Project Management Unit (PMU) in Colombo to assess project achievements, address remaining issues, and pave the way for a successful conclusion of the project. The meeting brought together key stakeholders to review implementation progress and strategize future actions.

 World Bank Delegation Reviews Provincial Impact
Having witnessed CSIAP activities and their impact across the Southern, Uva, North Central, and Eastern Provinces, the World Bank delegation gathered at the PMU under the leadership of the Task Team Leader (TTL) and Mission Leader, Dr. Sheu Salau. The delegation included Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, Environmental Safeguard Consultant Ms. Sithara Athapatthu, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne, Senior Environmental Specialist Ms. Nadeera Rajapaksha, Procurement Specialist Ms. Heenaben Yatin Doshi, and Voice Secondee Ms. Sima Ramrattan from the Republic of Suriname.

Forum for Strategic Alignment and Issue Resolution
The meeting served as a key forum for convergence, alignment, and strategic planning, ensuring that project activities remain on track, challenges are addressed in a timely manner, and project objectives are achieved efficiently as CSIAP approaches its completion phase.

Project Progress Presented through MIS
The Project Director of CSIAP, Eng. R. M. B. Rajakaruna, welcomed the World Bank officials, and the overall project progress was then  presented through the Management Information System (MIS) . The presentation highlighted achievements, implementation status, and performance across project components.

Participation of Provincial Leadership and Project Staff
Deputy Project Directors from six provinces, along with specialists and officers of the CSIAP, participated in the meeting. Their presence ensured comprehensive discussions on provincial-level implementation, operational challenges, and coordinated actions required for the successful completion of the project.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwaku, PMU, CSIAP

The World Bank reviews the progress of the CSIAP in Eastern Province

A progress review meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in Eastern Province was held at the Agrarian Service Center in Uppuveli, Trincomalee today (30th) to assess the status of the CSIAP’s activities in the province. The World Bank Team led by Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader with Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne and Voice Secondee Ms. Sima Ramrattan from the Republic of Suriname attended this meeting to monitor the project's progress, identify any issues or challenges, and make necessary adjustments to ensure successful completion of the CSIAP. The frequency of this progress review meeting typically occurs regularly twice a year throughout the project lifecycle.

Dr. R.M. Ariyadasa, Provincial Deputy Project Director (Eastern Province) welcomed the World Bank Officials and Ms. K.Karthiga, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, presented the progress achieved so far by the Management Information System (MIS). Subject Specialists and Officers of the CSIAP were present in this meeting.

After the review meeting, the World Bank officials visited Thimbiriwewa in Mahadiulwewa to observe farmers using drum seeder which is a mechanized method of direct seeding, inspected Chili Cultivation and Solar powered Pump,  Chili Cultivation at Atha Bandiwewa in Morawewa and observed the rehabilitation process of Bellankadawala wewa inder Rambawa Cascade in Gomarankadawala.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP

The World Bank reviews the progress of the CSIAP in Uva Province

The Progress Review of the Climate Smart Agriculture Project (CSIAP)  in Uva Province was held at the Uva Provincial Office, Wellawaya on 25th this month to keep the World Bank informed about the project's status, addressing any issues promptly, and ensure that the project stays aligned with its objectives and timelines.

Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader Dr.  Sheu Salau led the World Bank Team which consisted of  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne and Voice Secondee Ms. Sima Ramrattan from the Republic of Suriname attended this meeting. Mr. D.M.L. Bandaranayake, Deputy Project Director (Uva Province) welcomed the World Bank Officials and the CSIAP Staff,  and presented the overall progress of the province. Subject Specialists and Subject Officers of Uva Province presented the progress of the project activities till April 2024 by MIS.

After the Progress Review Meeting, the World Bank Officials visited the work site of the Hingure Ara tank at Wagurawela in the Buththala to observe the rehabilitation process undertaken by the Hinguruara Shakthi Farmers’ Organization. The rehabilitation of the tank identified by the Parappuwa Cascade Management Committee costs Re. 2.20 million. Members of Hinguruara Shakthi Farmers’ Organization had an opportunity to discuss the work done in the tank with the World Bank Team.

The World Bank Team observed the rehabilitation of the Udarawewa tank in the Buttala and discussed the rehabilitation process of it with farmers and officials of the Department of Agrarian Development (DAD). Officials of the CSIAP in Uva Province pointed out if the farmers could cultivate in the Intermediate Season, cropping intensity under this tank would increase up to 300% which will contribute the economy of the country.

The World Bank team inspected Water Melon Cultivation using insect-proof nets and drip irrigation facilities including Solar Powered Water Pump at Neluwagala in Wellawaya. A Framer Mr. Ariyadasa explained that he managed to make a profit of Rs 600,000.00 from Chillie Cultivation in the insect-proof net with drip irrigation during Maha 2023/24.  Mr.Ariyadasa uses a Solar Powered Water Pump given by CSIAP to irrigate his farm.

Solar Powered Electric Fences erected at 18 Yaya in the Thelulla were inspected by the World Bank.   The land size of 20.8 ha for 25 farmers to cultivate paddy is covered with these fences during this Yala season. The total length of the fence is 2.596 km and farmers insisted that they had not faced crop damages done by wild elephants during the last maha (2022/23) due to these electric fences which cost Rs. 1.298 million with Rs 4.5 million worth of labour.

Finally, the World Bank Officials visited the Chili Cultivation field at Thelulla, which belongs to Farmer Mr. Meththananda, is used with insect insect-proof net, poly mulch and drip irrigation system provided by CSIAP during Yala 2023. The farmer stated that he was able to earn around Rs. 2 million as profit from Chili and Water Melon with the use of equipment provided by the project.   

The World Bank reviews the progress of the CSIAP in North Central Province

The World Bank undertakes a comprehensive review of the activities of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) in North Central Province to assess the CSIAP’s progress, impact, and effectiveness in addressing the provincial development challenges, on the other hand, it plays a crucial role in ensuring that projects stay on track, issues are addressed promptly, and stakeholders remain informed and engaged.

The World Bank Team headed by Dr.  Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader with  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Consultant Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne, Water Management Specialist Ms. Thiruni Liyanage and  Voice Secondee Ms. Sima Ramrattan from the Republic of Suriname attended the Progress Review Meeting held in the conference hall of Sungreen Resort at Habarana today(29th).

Mr. H. M. P. Bandara, Deputy Project Director (North Central) welcomed the World Bank Officials, and Subject Specialists and Officers of the Deputy Director's Office in North Central Province presented the progress achieved so far by the Management Information System (MIS).  

This time the World Bank chose Polonnaruwa District to observe the CSIAP activities in Hingurakgoda. During this tour, the World Bank officials witnessed the rehabilitation process of Morgagaswewa Cascade, attended the Upperyanoya Cascade Management Committee Meeting at Moragaswewa in  Hingurakgoda, visited Capsicum Cultivation under the rain shelter at Mahasengama, Naimiris Cultivation at Irigeoya and Green Gram Cultivation at Nawagama.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP