Micro irrigation systems such as Sprinkler irrigation systems, Drip irrigation systems, Micro jet and Rain hose systems were provided to 549 farmers in the North Western Province, 840 farmers in the North Central Province, 693 farmers in the Northern Province, 502 farmers in the Eastern Province, 691 farmers in Uva Province and 512 farmers in the southern province.

By using micro irrigation, the water required by the plant is given near the root system at proper intervals. The project farmers are able to receive more yield from their farms using micro irrigation, despite the prevailing water scarcity in the project area due to prolonged drought. Besides, farmers have the convenience of applying fertilizer to the crop through this irrigation system itself and farmers are able to cultivate crops throughout the year and get more income from off-season cultivation.

The CSIAP has already rehabilitated 1142 agro wells so far and obtained a yield of 3082 metric tons through cultivating 1112 hectares of land under these rehabilitated wells. The project also establishes sprinkler or drip irrigation systems using solar water pumps in these cultivation fields, thereby reducing the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) into the atmosphere. Saving the cost of fuel by using solar water pumps is another benefit to the farmers. CSIAP wishes to reveal that, 707 hectares of land are currently being cultivated using micro irrigation systems, within the project area.

Agriculture Devision, CSIAP

The year-end National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) Meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) was held this morning (24th) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The NPSC, which is set up at the ministry to provide governance, and strategic oversight, take the overall responsibility for executing the CSIAP and support throughout the project's lifecycle, is chaired by the ministry’s secretary Mr. M. P. N. M. Wickramasinghe.

The committee's existence ensures that the CSIAP aligns with the organization's goals, delivers value, and adheres to budgetary and timeline constraints. Their involvement is crucial to the project's success, where alignment with project goals is essential. The NPSC essentially bridges the gap between senior management and the project team, providing strategic support and ensuring the project delivers the intended value. The NPSC will consist of key officials of the major stakeholder agencies of the central government and provincial government to provide policy guidance to the project and to ensure CSIAP’s objectives are achieved.

The CSIAP's Project Director Mr. Sumith Chandana attended this meeting with Deputy Project Director (PMU) Mr. H.M.P. Bandara and subject specialists. Chief Secretaries of provinces where the CSIAP is being implemented, Senior Officials of implementing agencies and some Provincial Deputy Project Directors of the CSIAP joined the meeting remotely along with World Bank Officials.  Ms. Latheesha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development) and Ms. Anuradha Dharmasena, Director (Development) of the ministry were also present at this meeting.

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 Climate Smart Irrigation Agriculture Project (CSIAP), which implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and funded by the World Bank, completed rehabilitation works of 470 tanks in selected hotspots areas with the aim of improve the productivity and build climate resilience of small holder agriculture sector in selected hotspot areas.

The CSIAP, which is being implemented in 11 districts covering 06 provinces namely North-West, North-Central, Northen, East, Uva and Southern, rehabilitated  116 tanks in Kurunegala district, 28 tanks in Puttalam district, 56 tanks in Anuradhapura district, 10 tanks in Polonnaruwa district, 34 tanks in Kilinochchiya district, 47 ​​tanks in Mullaitivu district, 29 tanks in Trincomalee district, 21 tanks in Batticaloa district, 19 tanks in Ampara district, 36 tanks in Monaragala district and 74 tanks in Hambantota district completely. Therefore, 30,000 farming families will be able to cultivate 38,000 acres of land to boost the agro-economy of the country.

In addition to this, by December 2025, the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project has prepared plans to rehabilitate another 205 tanks with an estimated cost of  Rs. 4200 million. This will benefit 12,000 farming families and enable them to cultivate 15,000 acres of land in hotspot areas.