Dr.  Sheu Salau (Senior Agriculture Economist/Task Team Leader (TTL) for the CSIAP),  Dr. Athula Senaratne (Senior Agriculture Specialist), Ms. Saumya Srivastava (Agriculture Specialist and CSIAP ICR Author), Mr. Seenithamby Manoharan (Senior Consultant, Agriculture and Rural Development), Jagath Seneviratne (Monitoring & Evaluation Consultant)   and  Mr. Sanjiva Rodrigo (Value Chain and Agribusiness Consultant) , who are on the 14th Implementation Support Mission of the CSIAP, met Dr. W. A. R. T. Wickramarachchi, Additional Secretary (Agri Technology) to discuss the proposed CSAC at the MALLI today (03rd).  The World Bank officials were made aware of  the organizational structure and objectives of the CSAC by  Dr. Wickramarachchi with Dr. R. A. Gamini Senarathne, Deputy Director (Project) of the MALLI. Representing the CSIAP, Mr. D. V. Bandulasena, IDCB Specialist, D.R.A. Godamunne, Senior Engineer and Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialists were also present in the meeting.

It is expected that the Center’s actions will help to enhance the agricultural productivity of the country in the face of growing climate risk; ensure efficient use of scarce water, land and other natural resources; build the resilience of vulnerable farmers to withstand the climate shocks; ensure the food and nutritional security of the citizens; and, help agricultural value chains to overcome barriers and constraints introduced by adverse climate impacts, effectively. 

 The CSAC will serve as a nodal institution dedicated to propelling CSA practices to enhance agriculture productivity and build the resilience of vulnerable farmers in the face of growing climate risks while also ensuring the environmental sustainability of farming practices. It will assume the central role in advancing climate-smart agricultural practices in Sri Lanka by way of promoting and implementing innovative applications of CSA technologies across the country, dissemination of knowledge on CSA practices, capacity building of key stakeholders, and formulation of supportive policies in line with the National Agriculture Policy. The Center’s continued dedication to CSA practices and policies will help consolidate its position as a Center of Excellence, not only within Sri Lanka but in the entire South Asia region.  

Photograph by Udula Sedara, MALLI

During this period, the team intends to meet with relevant staff from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation; Department of Agriculture; Department of Agrarian Development; Department of External Resources; National Planning Department; Chief Secretaries of the North Central, Northwestern, Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Uva Provincial Councils; Project Management Unit; and six provincial Deputy Project Directors (DPDs). In addition, the team will conduct a field visit in Eastern, Northern and North Central Provinces. The CSIAP team led by Project Director Mr. Samana Bandulasena and Provincial Deputy Directors, Subject Specialists and Officers attended this meeting.

Photographs by Gayani Dassanayake, PMU, CSIAP

 In this regard, awareness programmes play a crucial role in achieving the objectives of the CSIAP, by ensuring that stakeholders are well-informed and engaged. From 2019 to March 2025, the Project Management Unit and Deputy Project Directors’ Offices in six provinces of the CSIAP have conducted over 2250 awareness programs, focusing on farmers, across 47 Agrarian Service Center divisions in 11 districts, where the CSIAP is being implemented. This initiative, which has already benefitted over 105,800 farmers including around 51,300 females, aimed to enhance knowledge, improve participation, and drive sustainable impact.

Farmers benefit greatly from awareness programs in several ways, including; Adopting Climate Resilience activities, Improved Knowledge of CSA, Climate Smart Input & Subsidies, Market Insights, Technology Adoption, Soil & Water Conservation, Pest & Disease Control, Entrepreneurship, Value Addition and Value Chain Development

 Awareness programmes conducted across various sectors by the CSIAP have led to notable success stories, demonstrating their impacts on individuals and farming communities below.

I am Nissansala Mihirani from Gomarankadawala in Trincomalee District. As an unemployed mum, I attended an awareness programme on Climate-Smart Nutrition-Sensitive Home Gardens conducted by the Deputy Project Director's Office of the CSIAP in the Eastern Province, held at the Gomaran Kadawala Agrarian Service Center in 2022. I learned about this programme, which was very much different from other ordinary programmes. I wanted to earn an income independently to support my family, especially helping my children's education without burdening my husband, so this programme sparked my interest in a Climate-Smart Nutrition-Sensitive Home Garden, and I turned to it.

first of all, I was given very good training on the Home Garden. Not only that, I was trained at the Thirappane Climate Smart Farmer training school too. The CSIAP also supplied the necessary inputs, including a micro irrigation system and seeds to start my home garden. I was supervised by project officials while gardening, and instructions were provided when needed. The income from selling vegetables in the garden is good enough to cover the domestic expenses as well as the cost of children's education. I earn 60000 rupees in Maha Season. We live happily today because of this project. I express my gratitude to the CSIAP for helping me make a beautiful home garden.

I am Dhulari Madhushani from Nambakada, Anuradhapura. We are cultivating in three seasons now because the Deputy Project Director’s office of the CSIAP in the North Central Province has developed seven tanks, including the Horanakkara tank in our village under the Nambakada Cascade. By 2019, we cultivated only in the Maha season due to inadequate water.

 Through awareness campaigns launched by this project in 2019, we gained an understanding of the benefits we could receive. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp contraction of our daily lives, cultivation and finances. The project introduced us to agrotechnology including CSA practices, and provided us with agro-inputs. Our farmers underwent training programmes at the Thirappaney Farmer Training School to learn about Climate Smart Agriculture technologies & practices. These allow us to rebuild our lives to some extent. Deputy Project Director Mr. R. P. M. Dissanayaka and his staff are providing all support for the betterment of our people's lives. It is with great happiness and excitement to say that our village has been developed by the CSIAP.  We expect to move forward with this project. 

I am Y. M. P. Karunaratne, married, having two kids, and chairperson of The Parakum Farmers'  organization in Ethiliwewa, Monaragala district. I learned framing from my father Y.M. Heenbanda, who is next to me. We have 33  farmers of the Parakum Farmers' Organization cultivating 39 acres of paddy. We are proud to talk about climate-smart agriculture. The major problem we faced was the damage caused by the wild animals here. The wild animals meant the damage caused by the elephants. This has become a big headache. Fortunately, we heard about CSIAP and its elephant fencing programme through an awareness campaign conducted in our Ethiliwewa village by the Deputy Project Director Mr. Bandaranayake and his staff of the CSIAP in Uva province.

 Then, we got to know about such a big project being implemented in our area. We requested the Deputy Project Director to provide us with an elephant fence for our Ethilwewa Farmers' Organization. He agreed with us and provided us with an elephant fence to protect our paddy fields. We organized ourselves as explained in the awareness programme. Thanks to CSIAP and the World Bank for providing us with a 3 km-long elephant fence. Now, we have been able to protect our paddy fields for several seasons and being able to bring home 100% of our harvest without any issues. The fence was erected in 2021. We save around Rs 1 m a year. I request the CSIAP to help all farmers in Sri Lanka.

 I am Vijayaraasa Santhiya from Mulankavil, Kilinochchi. Cultivating continuously throughout the year was challenging with floods and droughts due to climate change.  I became a beneficiary of the project in 2022 and gained knowledge on Climate-Smart Agriculture practices. As a young farmer, my son K san helps me with farming today. Officials of the Deputy Project Director’s Office of the CSIAP in Northern Province made us aware of several innovative techniques to adapt to climate change and implement sustainable cultivation practices. By adopting these new methods,

In June 2024, we cultivated watermelons and harvested 3000 kg. Our income was   450,000 rupees. Not only that, we planted a special chilli variety in November of the same year and harvested 750 kg. we earned   750,000 rupees. Recently the Project Director of the CSIAP Mr. Saman Bandulasena visited here to see my progress made through cultivation. The CSIAP provided us with a power sprayer, an inter-cultivator, high-quality seeds, planting materials, a micro-irrigation system and a solar-powered water pump. The Deputy Project Director in the Northern Province of the CSIAP,  Mr. George Babu encourages us and closely monitors our every task. This project has made a big difference in our lives. I am proud to be called a successful woman entrepreneur.

I am Gayani Sashi Praba from Weerawila in Hambantota. This project laid the foundation for me to move forward from cultivation to business. I am pleased to say that the CSIAP gave us a new lease of life. I started producing value-added products such as oil cake, Peanut Butter, Groundnut oil, sesame oil, and Kurakkan flour from the harvest reaped from my cultivated land. My husband and my daughter also support my business.

I learned of the project through an awareness campaign conducted in our area by the Deputy Project Director's office in Southern and Uva Provinces. Deputy Director Bandaranayke constantly monitors every activity we do. I realized that I could get some help for my cultivation. Officials of the project came to me and identified my needs. They trained me to use climate-smart agriculture in my cultivation and provided me with a micro irrigation system and insect-proof net. At present, I cultivate groundnut, sesame and kurakkan. This project helped me live happily with my family while earning a good income of Rs. Rs. 300,000 per season. A lot of farmers are visiting my cultivation. As a woman farmer, I have become an entrepreneur.

Ongoing awareness is essential for ensuring that beneficiaries fully adopt best practices,  and effectively utilize project resources to increase their incomes and living standards.

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

 Lessons from CSIAP in Advancing Gender Equality in Agriculture and Irrigation Sectors (An article on International Women's Day)

In Sri Lanka, where 25.9% of the population was living below the poverty line in 2023, poverty continues to be a pressing issue. Rural communities, particularly those dependent on agriculture and minor irrigation, face the dual challenges of economic hardship and climate vulnerability. Among them, women often bear the brunt of poverty due to systemic gender inequalities and limited access to resources. However, projects like the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) are making strides in improving the lives of women and rural communities, demonstrating the power of inclusive development.

 The CSIAP, a critical initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation (MoALLI), has focused on improving smallholder agriculture's productivity and climate resilience since 2019. The project targets vulnerable agrarian communities in climatically sensitive regions, where farmers many depend on rain-fed and minor irrigation systems. These areas, which span 11 districts, are facing growing challenges due to climate change, depleting natural resources, and an increasingly uncertain economic environment

 Ensuring Gender Equality in Agriculture and Irrigation Sectors

 The CSIAP's commitment to gender equality and social inclusion is evident in its actions. Women, especially those in vulnerable groups such as female-headed households, single mothers, the elderly, and those living below the poverty line, often struggle to access opportunities within the agricultural sector. CSIAP addresses these challenges through targeted interventions that foster women’s participation in decision-making, leadership roles, and economic activities.

 The project has taken significant steps to ensure that at least 30% of all participants in all project activities, including Farmer Organizations (FOs), Social Audit Committees (SACs), Producer Societies (PSs), Producer Associations (PAs) and Cascade Management Committees (CMCs) are women. This ensures that women not only have a voice but also play a key role in shaping the future of agricultural practices and policies at the community level. Through this, CSIAP has promoted the idea that gender equality is crucial not only for social justice but also for the accelerated development of sustainable agricultural systems.

Empowering Women in Leadership Roles

A major lesson from CSIAP has been the importance of empowering women in leadership. Through capacity-building programs, CSIAP has enhanced the confidence of women farmers and enabled them to take on leadership positions in agricultural committees. Women’s involvement in these roles has proven to be transformative for both individuals and the broader community. Female leadership within Farmer Organizations and Producer Societies has led to more inclusive and equitable decision-making, ensuring that women’s specific needs and concerns are addressed.

 The project has also promoted female participation in critical committees such as the Social Audit Committees (SACs) and Cascade Management Committees (CMC), where women’s input has been pivotal in decision making, promoting sustainable agricultural and water management practices. The high levels of female participation 31.98% in SACs and 30.64% in CMCs show that women are not only included but are central to the governance structures that shape the future of agriculture and irrigation at the grassroots level.

Breaking Down Barriers: Addressing Gender-Specific Challenges

CSIAP’s commitment to gender-sensitive policies is another key factor in its success. Women in agriculture face distinct challenges, including time constraints due to household responsibilities, limited mobility, and barriers to accessing technology and financial resources. CSIAP has tackled these issues by implementing gender-responsive strategies, such as providing training sessions and promoting flexible participation methods. This has led to an increase in women’s engagement, ensuring that they can balance their household duties with active involvement in agricultural programs. However, CSIAP was unable to provide the childcare facilities during training sessions, which is noticed as a critical need in the grassroots level to break the barriers of women for the active participation in project activities.

In addition, CSIAP has addressed the financial empowerment of women farmers. Access to financial literacy training through the Farmer Business School has enabled many women to invest in their farms, diversify their income sources, improve their livelihoods, and become an entrepreneur. 

 Social Inclusion and Vulnerability Reduction

CSIAP also emphasizes the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, landless peasants, and those living in poverty. By prioritizing these groups in the selection criteria for agricultural programs, the project ensures equitable access to resources. The integration of socially inclusive policies means that vulnerable women, who are often the most disadvantaged, have the opportunity to improve their living standards and secure a more stable future.

 Furthermore, CSIAP has actively worked to prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in its project areas. Through awareness campaigns, GBV prevention measures, and the implementation of a Code of Conduct (COC) on prevention of GBV for contractors and their laborers, the project has created safer spaces for women to engage in economic activities without fear of violence or harassment. This has been a critical step in ensuring that women can participate fully in agricultural and irrigation programs without facing additional social risks.

 A Model for Future Development

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, CSIAP’s work stands as a testament to the power of inclusive development. By promoting women’s leadership, providing gender-sensitive support, and ensuring equitable access to resources, the project has empowered countless women in Sri Lanka’s rural areas. The lessons learned from CSIAP are clear: when women are given the equipment, resources, and opportunities to thrive, they can transform not only their lives but also the agricultural landscape for future generations.

 On this Women’s Day, we honor the women of Sri Lanka who are leading the way in agriculture and minor irrigation, proving that gender equality is not just a lofty ideal but a practical and essential pathway to sustainable development. Through continued commitment to gender inclusion, CSIAP has laid a strong foundation for a more resilient and equitable agricultural sector, and its impact will be felt for years to come.

By Sharmila Shanmuganathan, Social Safeguard and Gender Development Officer, PMU, CSIAP

Welcoming participants, Mr. D. M. L. Bandaranayaka. Deputy Project Director, CSIAP in Southern & Uva Provinces emphasized the importance of using official office email for all work-related communication and said “Learning office email communication is essential because it enhances professionalism, efficiency, and clarity in workplace interactions.” During the session, participants were trained on key aspects of email etiquette, including structuring formal emails, managing inbox efficiency, creating and grouping contacts, sending bulk files, and best practices for security and confidentiality.

The interactive nature of the training allowed attendees to engage in practical exercises, making the learning process more impactful. Mr. Danushka Gangoda, Manager with Mr. Uvindu Anuradha, Assistant Manager and Mr. K.V.D Lahiru Sulochana, Team Lead, SLT Digital (Pvt) Ltd, conducted this training. Mr. D.V. Bandulasena, Institutional Development & Capacity Building Specialist coordinated this training programme and Mr. Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, CSIAP organized it.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP