The FTS trained 1966 farmer leaders on CSA to train around 19600 farmers

The Climate Smart Agriculture Project (CSIAP) built a Climate Smart Agriculture Training School for the first time in South Asia in an area of ​​03 acres in Thirpappane, Anuradhapura district at a cost of Rs. 117 Mn with the support of the World Bank to promote Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in Sri Lanka. A total of 1966 farmer leaders including 788 women farmer leaders have been trained in 86 training programs to disseminate the knowledge, that they have acquired about CSA, to more than 19600 farmers in the six provinces namely Northwest, North Central, Northern, Eastern, Uva and Southern Provinces where the CSIAP is being implemented..

The CSIAP Project, implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, aims to guide the farming community living in the project area to use CSA technologies and train them to cope with and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change by building this training school. Training sessions are also conducted for technical personnel during the project period.

The construction of the Farmer Training School started on 22nd December 2021 and was opened on 4th December 2022. The coordinator of this school, Mr. Sajith Ekanayake, says that the school is used to train farmers to give hands-on experience in CSA practices and technologies and address challenges to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and food security.

 The CSIAP has planned to establish a platform for the dissemination of CSA  knowledge in the village and provide beneficiaries living in the areas where they are experiencing climate change with CSA technology by covering all 47 agricultural service center divisions. Eventually, the CSIAP envisages dissemination of CSA technologies and practices among entire farming communities that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the country through the intervention of officials from the Department of Agriculture.

A success story of a youth farmer who cultivates red onions in the Northern Province

 

CSIAP Completes Rehabilitation of 470 Tanks, Boosting Smallholder Agriculture

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) has successfully completed the rehabilitation of 470 tanks in selected hotspot areas, investing Rs. 13,000 million to enhance agricultural productivity and strengthen climate resilience among smallholder farmers. Implemented across 11 districts spanning six provinces—North-West, North-Central, Northern, Eastern, Uva, and Southern—the project rehabilitated 116 tanks in Kurunegala, 28 in Puttalam, 56 in Anuradhapura, 10 in Polonnaruwa, 34 in Kilinochchi, 47 in Mullaitivu, 29 in Trincomalee, 21 in Batticaloa, 19 in Ampara, 36 in Monaragala, and 74 in Hambantota. As a result, approximately 30,000 farming families will be able to cultivate 38,000 acres of land, significantly contributing to the country’s agro-economy.

Looking ahead, CSIAP plans to rehabilitate an additional 205 tanks by December 2025, with an estimated cost of Rs. 4,200 million. This next phase is expected to benefit 12,000 farming families, enabling them to cultivate 15,000 acres of previously underutilised farmland in hotspot areas. Through these interventions, the CSIAP aims not only to increase agricultural productivity but also to build climate resilience, enhance water management, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka.  

Current Vacancies for the Project Staff (PMU and Provincial Offices) of the CSIAP

For more information, please visit:  https://csiap.lk/vacancies

A warm farewell to Project Director, Senior Engineer and ESS Specialist of CSIAP

Eng. R. M.B. Rajakaruna, Senior Engineer Gamini Wijayawardhana and Dr.  Janaka Jayawardena receive gifts from newly appointed Project Director Mr. K. A. Sumith Chandana

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) gave a fond farewell to former Project Director Eng. R. M.B. Rajakaruna, Senior Engineer Gamini Wijayawardhana and Social Safeguard Specialist Dr.  Janaka Jayawardena who had been pivotal members of the CSIAP for last few years. Eng. R. M.B. Rajakaruna (joined on 08th Aug 2021) has shown great leadership and made a tremendous contribution to the CSIAP during his period. Senior Engineer Gamini Wijayawardhana (joined on 02nd Mar 2023) had been an enthusiastic figure throughout his time at the CSIAP. Dr.  Janaka Jayawardena (joined on 20th Jan 2020) had also been actively involved in various subjective activities including erecting sessional electric fences and planting trees in the project area.

We are incredibly grateful for everything they have contributed over the years thank them for their boundless energy, hard work and dedication to the CSIAP. They are leaving the CSIAP when the  CSIAP is at a good level, with plans in place to grow the project steadily even in future. Everyone at the CSIAP wishes them well in their future endeavours.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP

The CSIAP Secures Clearance to Rehabilitate 63 Water Tanks in Forest Areas

Strengthening Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience
Rehabilitating water tanks in forested areas is not merely an environmental intervention but a critical strategy for preserving ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, and supporting farming communities in regions where the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is being implemented. In Sri Lanka, traditional water tanks have historically played a vital role in water storage, agriculture, and sustaining wildlife. Over time, however, sedimentation, structural deterioration, and neglect have reduced the functionality of many of these tanks.

Recognizing their ecological and socio-economic importance, the CSIAP has initiated a programme to rehabilitate 33 water tanks located within forest areas and an additional 30 tanks situated within 300 metres of forest reservations across the project area. These interventions aim to restore water availability while ensuring harmony between conservation objectives and community needs.

High-Level Inter-Agency Coordination Workshop
To obtain the necessary clearance from the Department of Forest Conservation for the rehabilitation of these tanks, a high-level coordination workshop was held on 27th at Hotel Kamrel, Kurunegala. The workshop was jointly led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the CSIAP, and the Department of Forest Conservation.

The workshop served as a platform to align institutional perspectives, address environmental safeguards, and ensure that tank rehabilitation activities are carried out in compliance with forest conservation regulations while maximizing ecological and community benefits.

Key Benefits of Rehabilitating Tanks in Forest Areas
1. Enhanced Water Availability
Rehabilitated tanks provide reliable water sources for wildlife as well as surrounding farming communities. This contributes to improved agricultural productivity, particularly for forest-dependent communities, while supporting the overall health of local ecosystems.
2. Biodiversity Conservation
Restored water bodies create habitats for aquatic species and provide essential drinking water for terrestrial wildlife, thereby strengthening biodiversity conservation within forest landscapes.
3. Reduction of Human–Wildlife Conflict
By ensuring adequate water availability within forest areas, wildlife is less likely to migrate into human settlements in search of water. This significantly reduces human–wildlife conflict and enhances safety for both communities and animals.
4. Climate Resilience
Well-maintained water tanks enhance the resilience of forest ecosystems against climate change impacts. By storing rainwater and recharging groundwater, these tanks act as buffers during droughts and other climate-induced stresses. 
 
Collaborative Approach for Sustainable Outcomes
Rehabilitating tanks in forest areas is an environmentally sound and socially beneficial practice that aligns with national conservation priorities and sustainable development goals. The success of such initiatives depends on effective collaboration among forest conservation authorities, environmental experts, and local farming communities. In this regard, the CSIAP has taken proactive steps to bring all relevant stakeholders together to ensure long-term sustainability and shared ownership of outcomes.
Participation and Leadership.

Mr. M.A.A.M. Jayarathne, Additional Forest Conservator General, Mr. Sumithra Gunathilaka, Forest Conservator, Mr. Wasantha Gajanayake, Forest Conservator, Mr. G. R. P.B. Senarathne, Forest Conservator, Ms. Devani Jayathilaka, Assistant Forest Conservator and forest officers representing 11 districts of six provinces in project areas attended this workshop. The workshop was chaired by Ms. Anuradha Dharmasena, Director (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Participants included Mr. M.A.A.M. Jayarathne, Additional Forest Conservator General, along with Forest Conservator, Mr. G. R. P.B. Senarathne, Forest Conservator, Ms. Devani Jayathilaka, Assistant Forest Conservator and forest officers and forest officers representing 11 districts across six provinces within the project area.
 
The CSIAP team was led by Project Director Eng. R. M. B. Rajakaruna, supported by Deputy Project Directors, Subject Specialists, Environmental Safeguard Officers, and Social Safeguard Officers. The programme was organised by Dr. Janaka Jayawardena, Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist of the CSIAP. 

MoAPI reviews the current progress of the CSIAP

The Progress Review Meeting to assess the current status and performance of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) and ensure that the project remains on track and any obstacles are addressed early to prevent delays was held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries (MoAPI) yesterday (19th).  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 including Provincial Deputy Project Directors and Subject Specialists at the Project Management Unit was led by  Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna.