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

Climate Smart Farmer Training School Completes a Historic Milestone in Sri Lanka

Pioneering Climate-Smart Agriculture Training in South Asia

The Climate Smart Farmer Training School (CSFTS) at Thirappane, Anuradhapura—recognized as the first purpose-built facility of its kind in South Asia—has successfully completed all 141 planned training programmes since its inception on 04 December 2022, marking a historic milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey toward climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture.

Established under the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), the CSFTS was built on a three-acre site at Wagayakulama Village at a cost of Rs. 40 million. From the outset, the School was conceived not merely as a conventional training centre, but as a living learning laboratory—one that integrates climate-smart technologies, sustainable land-use practices, and hands-on field exposure within a real farming environment. This innovative approach has enabled farmers to move beyond theory and directly experience practical solutions to climate challenges affecting agriculture.

The speciality of the CSFTS lies in its inclusive and forward-looking approach to capacity building. While its primary mandate was to train CSIAP beneficiary farmer leaders at the Farmer Training School, the CSFTS went beyond this core responsibility by organising special training programmes for individuals who demonstrated a strong interest in learning and applying Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices.

Through these dedicated programmes, the CSFTS opened its doors to a wider audience, enabling non-beneficiary farmers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to gain hands-on knowledge and practical skills in CSA. This approach not only expanded the reach and impact of the training school but also helped foster a broader community of climate-smart practitioners, supporting the wider adoption of sustainable and resilient agricultural practices beyond the immediate CSIAP project areas

Learning about using a micro Irrigation system

Empowering Farmer Leaders through structured training programmes across Six Provinces
Over a three-year period, a total of 3,003 CSIAP’s  farmer leaders, including 1,259 women farmer leaders, successfully completed residential training programmes at the CSFTS. These trained leaders now serve as knowledge multipliers, transferring Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices to more than 30,000 farmers across six provinces—North Western, North Central, Northern, Eastern, Uva, and Southern—where the CSIAP is being implemented.

The CSFTS also conducted a series of separate training programmes targeting a wider audience, including officers from across the country who were interested in gaining knowledge on CSA. Under this initiative, a total of 07 specialized training programmes were conducted over a period of three years, through which 166 individuals, including 55 female participants, were successfully trained, thereby further strengthening national capacity in CSA beyond the immediate project beneficiaries.

Through this cascading training model, the impact of the CSFTS has extended far beyond its physical boundaries, reaching diverse agro-ecological regions and strengthening farming communities nationwide.

Completion of Marking the  conclusion of a National Training Effort
The historic training cycle concluded this month with the final programme, when 22 farmer leaders, including six women, representing the Parangiyawadiya and Koonwewa Agrarian Service Centre Divisions, arrived at the CSFTS on the 22nd and successfully completed their residential training. With the graduation of this final cohort, the CSFTS formally concluded the full schedule of training programmes envisioned at the inception of the project—bringing a national capacity-building mission to a successful close.

Obtaining theoretical knowledge on CSA through classroom sessions

Year-wise training achievements
An analysis of annual participation reflects the sustained momentum and inclusivity of the programme. In 2023, 1,062 farmer leaders, including 429 women, were trained through 46programmes. This was followed in 2024 by 963  farmer leaders, including 443 women, trained under another 45 programmes. In 2025, 978 farmer leaders, including 412 women, completed training through 43 programmes. The consistently high participation of women farmers underscores CSIAP’s strong commitment to gender inclusion and equitable access to agricultural knowledge. 

The Eastern Province implemented 34 trainings with the highest participation of 774 participants while the North Western Province conducted 34 trainings attracting 724 participants. The North Central Province accounted for 24 trainings with 519 participants. The Northern Province recorded 21 trainings with 474 participants. The Southern Province held 11 trainings with 271 participants, and 10 trainings in Uva Province engaged 241 participants

Infrastructure Designed for Sustainability and Impact
Designed as a three-day residential training facility accommodating a maximum of 25 participants per programme, the CSFTS delivered intensive, hands-on learning experiences. Training activities were conducted in close collaboration with the Extension Division of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Peradeniya, which also facilitated the engagement of experienced and competent resource persons. This strong institutional partnership ensured technical depth, practical relevance, and consistency across all training modules.

Through the CSFTS, CSIAP actively promoted a broad spectrum of Climate Smart Agriculture interventions, including climate-smart home garden development, crop diversification, improved agronomic practices, micro-irrigation technologies, climate-smart seed production, and inter-season cultivation to increase cropping intensity

Mr. R. P. M.  Dissanayake

Together, these interventions aim to enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable land management, optimize water use, and strengthen resilience to climate variability. They further contribute to both climate change adaptation and mitigation, while safeguarding food security and livelihoods of farming households across more than 58,000 hectares of agricultural land within the project area.

Deputy Project Director Highlights Collective Effort
Since early January 2025, the Training School operated under the direct supervision of Mr. R. P. M. Dissanayake, Deputy Project Director of CSIAP – North Central Province. Reflecting on the completion of all scheduled programmes, he noted that the achievement represents a collective commitment to empowering farmers with practical knowledge aligned with climate-smart and sustainable agricultural practices. He emphasized the critical role these programmes play in improving productivity and strengthening resilience, particularly in climate-vulnerable areas such as the North Central Province.

Mr. Saman Bandulasena

Project Director Commends Lasting Impact
Commending the milestone, Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of CSIAP, described the completion of the training cycle as a major step forward in enhancing the adaptive capacity of Sri Lanka’s farming communities. He highlighted that the programmes were carefully designed to strengthen farmers’ understanding of climate-resilient agriculture, efficient water management, modern technologies, and sustainable farm management, and expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would translate into tangible improvements at the field level and more sustainable livelihoods. 

Dr. Pathiraja explaining the architectural design of the CSFTS

Architectural Excellence Through Professional Voluntarism
Beyond its training mandate, the CSFTS also stands out as a model of socially responsible and context-sensitive design. The architectural concept was developed by Dr. Milinda Pathiraja, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the University of Moratuwa, son of the late renowned Sri Lankan filmmaker Dharmasena Pathiraja. Dr. Pathiraja and his team at the Robust Architecture Workshop provided their professional services free of charge, creating a facility that harmoniously blends functionality, sustainability, and the surrounding rural landscape.

Mr. S. Manoharan

World Bank Leadership and Global Recognition
The conceptual foundation of the CSFTS was laid by Mr. S. Manoharan, founding Task Team Leader of the CSIAP, whose vision was instrumental in transforming the idea of a dedicated climate-smart farmer training hub into reality. After visiting and assessing several potential locations within the project area along with a team of experts from Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture (DOA), he identified Thirappane as the ideal site to establish the FTS to train farmers and field staff on CSA.. Construction officially commenced on 22 December 2021, when Mr. Faris H. Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director, laid the foundation stone and unveiled the commemorative plaque together with Ms. Chiyo Kanda, Country Manager.

Since its establishment, the CSFTS has attracted the attention of senior World Bank leadership, reinforcing its status as a regional model for climate-smart capacity building. The facility was visited by Dr. Martin Raiser, Vice President for South Asia, on 26 February 2023; Ms. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for Operations, on 29 October 2023; and Dr. Dina Umali-Deininger, Regional Director for South Asia Sustainable Development, on 08 February 2024. These high-level visits provided opportunities to observe first-hand how the Training School functions as a catalyst for promoting Climate Smart Agriculture at the grassroots level.

Unveiling of plaque marking a significant milestone

Acknowledgement and Coordination
The CSIAP extends its sincere gratitude to all stakeholders, including CSIAP’s staff farmers and officials of government bodies, who supported the successful conduct of all training courses at CSFTS. Special appreciation is extended to the villagers of Wagayakulama for their invaluable support from the construction phase of the Farmer Training School through its operational period.

The coordination of the training programmes was carried out with strong commitment and efficiency, ensuring their smooth and timely implementation. The first 100 training programmes were effectively coordinated by Mr. Sajith Ekanayake, the former Coordinator, whose leadership and organizational skills laid a solid foundation for the success of the initiative.

Subsequently, the coordination responsibility was entrusted to Ms. Niluka Munasinghe, Management Assistant of the CSIAP Office in the North Central Province who  successfully managed and coordinated the remaining 41 training programmes, maintaining continuity and operational effectiveness. Her dedicated efforts were instrumental in bringing the entire training programme to a successful completion, marking a significant milestone in the CSFTS capacity-building mission.

The final farmer leaders of the CSFTS with Ms. Munasinghe

A Lasting Legacy for Sri Lanka’s Farming Community
With the successful completion of all 141 training programmes, the CSFTS) at Thirappane has emerged as one of the most valuable and enduring assets established under the CSIAP. More than a physical training facility, the CSFTS has evolved into a national hub for knowledge, innovation, and capacity building in climate-smart agriculture. Upon completion of CSIAP, the continuity and sustainability of CSFTS are ensured with the establishment of CSA Centre at the Ministry. The training programs will be continued by the DOA.

The true legacy of the Training School lies in the thousands of farmer leaders it has empowered across project areas. Equipped with practical skills, scientific knowledge, and climate-resilient farming techniques, these trained leaders continue to apply, adapt, and disseminate climate-smart practices within their own communities. Through this multiplier effect, the benefits of the CSFTS extend far beyond the classroom—contributing to improved productivity, sustainable resource management, and inclusive rural development.

As climate variability and extreme weather events increasingly threaten agricultural systems, the role of such trained farmer leaders becomes even more critical. By promoting climate-smart technologies, water-efficient practices, and environmentally responsible farming methods, the CSFTS has directly supported national efforts to strengthen food security 85% in the project area while enhancing the resilience of farming communities. In this context, the Climate Smart Farmer Training School at Thirappane stands not only as a key achievement of the CSIAP, but also as a lasting institutional model for climate-resilient agricultural development in Sri Lanka.

By Samanth Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP

Sharing CSIAP Experiences and Best Practices with the IRDCRP at the World Bank

 A special high-level meeting was held today at the World Bank with senior officials of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) and the Integrated Rural Development and Climate Resilience Project (IRDCRP), with the objective of 

• Transferring knowledge and implementation experience gained under the CSIAP to the staff of the Integrated Rural Development and Climate Resilience Project (IRDCRP).
• Handing over key project resources, including technical documents, operational guidelines, manuals, and presentation materials (PPTs) developed under CSIAP.
• Reaching an agreement to provide targeted capacity-building support, including specialised training for IRDCRP staff who require further knowledge and skills in Climate-Smart (CS) approaches and practices.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Thruni Liyanage, Co–Task Team Leader (Co-TTL) of the CSIAP and the session provided an important platform to reflect on CSIAP’s implementation journey, highlighting how strategic planning, strong institutional coordination, and community engagement have contributed to tangible outcomes on the ground.

 Mr. Frank Jayasinghe, Climate Smart Agriculture Specialist; Mr. U. K. Nissanka, Water Management and Monitoring Specialist; Mr. D. V. Bandulasena, Institutional Development and Capacity Building Specialist; Dr. Kumuduni Gunasekara, Agribusiness and Market Linkage Development Specialist; and Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Specialist of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) made detailed presentations during the session. Their presentations comprehensively outlined the key interventions, progress achieved, and measurable outcomes of the project across the six provinces where CSIAP is currently being implemented, highlighting sector-specific achievements, lessons learned, and the overall contribution of the project toward strengthening climate-resilient agriculture systems. These presentations demonstrated the project’s comprehensive approach and its alignment with national development priorities and World Bank objectives.

The CSIAP delegation was led by Mr. Saman Bandulasena, who actively participated in discussions, sharing insights on implementation experiences, challenges faced, and innovative solutions adopted during project execution. The IRDCRP, led by Mr. R. H. W. A. Kumarasisri, also took part in the meeting, fostering knowledge exchange and identifying opportunities for synergy between the two projects.

As the implementing agency, officials from the Department of Agrarian Development (DAD) were also present, underscoring their critical role in translating project strategies into field-level action. Their participation reinforced the importance of inter-agency collaboration in achieving sustainable and climate-resilient rural development outcomes. Mr. S. Manoharan, Senior Consultant for Agriculture and Rural Development at the World Bank, also joined the meeting remotely. He previously served as the Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP.

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

From Water Scarcity to Prosperity: A Woman Farmer’s Climate-Smart Success in SP

At just 35 years of age, Ms. H.A. Nadeeka Chathurani, a devoted mother of two children aged 15 and 7, has emerged as a symbol of resilience and determination in Bogahawewa village, under the Weerawila Agrarian Service Centre Division in Hambantota. Like many smallholder farmers in the dry zone, her journey in agriculture was marked by hardship—particularly the persistent lack of water, which threatened both her livelihood and her family’s future.

Woman Farmer Chathurani

Cultivating one acre of land, Chathurani struggled for years to sustain her chili cultivation. Despite repeated efforts and tireless labour, inadequate water supply severely limited her production. Every two weeks, she could harvest only about 300 kg of chilies, an amount barely sufficient to cover household expenses, let alone invest in her children’s education or improve living conditions. For a woman balancing farming with the responsibilities of motherhood, the odds were stacked against her.

A turning point came when Ms. K.A.A. Nuwanthi, the Agriculture Facilitator (AF) of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), visited Chathurani’s farmland during a routine field inspection. Observing the conditions on-site, Nuwanthi quickly identified the root cause of Chathurani’s low productivity—the urgent need for a reliable and efficient irrigation solution. Recognising the potential of the land and the farmer’s commitment, she promptly referred the matter to the Deputy Project Director’s Office of CSIAP in the Southern and Uva Provinces. 

The response was swift. Soon after, a sprinkler irrigation system was provided to Chathurani, enabling her to manage water more efficiently and cultivate her land sustainably. But the support did not end there. Understanding that technology alone is not enough, Nuwanthi coordinated with Mr. H.J.A. Malaka, Agriculture Instructor, to ensure continuous technical guidance. Under his supervision, Chathurani actively participated in Farmer Business School (FBS) and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) training programmes. These covered a wide range of practical skills, including organic fertilizer production, fruit plant pruning, bund cultivation, and improved vegetable cultivation and management practices. Armed with new knowledge, confidence, and the right equipment, she was ready to begin again—this time with renewed hope.

AF Nuwanthi with Chathurani

The results were nothing short of remarkable. Chathurani’s chilli production doubled, with harvests increasing from 300 kgs to 600 kgs every two weeks within the same cultivation cycle. Her income rose accordingly, bringing much-needed financial stability to her household. Today, she can comfortably invest in her children’s education, ensuring they have opportunities she once feared she could not provide. Looking ahead, she is even planning to build a new house, a dream that once seemed far beyond reach.

Chathurani’s story is a powerful reminder of how targeted interventions, timely technical support, and climate-smart solutions can transform lives. It also highlights the strength of women farmers who, when given the right support, rise above challenges to secure a better future for their families. Above all, her journey stands as a testament to the impact of the CSIAP—where courage meets opportunity, and determination turns struggle into success.