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| Well-grown Cavendish bananas in Niyandawanaya village |
For generations, the farming families of Niyadawanaya
in the Rambe Agrarian Service Division cultivated traditional crops, earning
just enough to get by. Commercial agriculture was far from their
imagination—until a group of determined farmers, guided by the Climate Smart
Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), decided to take a bold step. Today, they
are cultivating 12 acres of Cavendish banana destined for international
markets.
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| Farmers are getting bananas ready for the buyer |
Changing Mindsets At the heart of this transformation is Ms. Imesha
Disanayake, the Agriculture Facilitator of CSIAP for North Western Province, based in Rambe. She saw the untapped
potential of the village and believed the farmers could achieve far more. With
patient guidance, continuous awareness sessions, and tireless encouragement,
she inspired the community to move away from low-income traditional crops and
embrace Cavendish banana cultivation for export. Her efforts were not only motivational but also
practical. Through CSIAP, farmers received a micro-irrigation system, solar
pump, and even an exposure visit to CIC Farm in Dambulla to learn the technical
know-how of banana farming. Slowly but steadily, farmers began to see
themselves not just as cultivators—but as future exporters.
Strong Partnerships
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| Imesha is looking at her success |
No great change happens alone. Mr. Indika
Karunarathna, Agriculture Instructor of Rambe, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with
Ms. Disanayake, offering technical guidance and hands-on support to ensure
farmers had the expertise to succeed. Together, they provided the knowledge and
confidence the farmers needed to embark on this new journey. Yet, the road to commercial farming came with hurdles. The main one among them was the lack of initial capital. To solve this, Ms. Disanayake
personally approached DFCC Bank in Ibbagamuwa. After presenting the potential
of the project, she convinced the bank to release loans of Rs. 300,000 per
farmer at a 6.5% annual interest rate, with repayments beginning 10 months
after harvesting. This tailor-made financing solution gave the farmers the
lifeline they needed.
Securing the Market Production is only half the story—marketing is the key
to success. Understanding this, Ms. Disanayake reached out to SR BIO FOOD
Company, ensuring a guaranteed market for the farmers. The company committed to
purchasing 5,000 kilograms of Cavendish banana every week for the next five
years, with experts visiting the village to train farmers on meeting export
standards. In addition, CIC Company stepped in to buy any surplus harvest,
making sure no fruit went to waste. With secure buyers in place, farmers could
focus on cultivation without the fear of losing their produce. Beyond
production and marketing, Ms. Disanayake also worked to strengthen the business
and financial management skills of the farmers, ensuring long-term
sustainability of their commercial farming venture. The CSIAP
Supports Farmers to Achieve Rs. 110.5 Million in Five Years
Because
of the dedicated support provided by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture
Project (CSIAP) under the leadership of Ms. Disanayake, the farmers in
Niyandawanaya are now able to earn an impressive income of approximately Rs.
425,000 per week through the sale of Cavendish bananas to SR BIO FOOD Company.
This translates into an annual income of around Rs. 22.1 million for the
community, and if sustained over a five-year period, their cumulative earnings
could reach as high as Rs. 110.5 million. This remarkable achievement not only
demonstrates the profitability of climate-smart agricultural practices but also
highlights the transformative impact of the CSIAP in strengthening farmer
livelihoods and securing long-term economic resilience.
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| Imesha, Indika, fellow Agriculture Facilitators and farmers |
Beyond Farming
The success of Niyadawanaya farmers goes beyond
bananas. This initiative has given them not just a new crop, but a new identity—as
commercial farmers and contributors to Sri Lanka’s agricultural exports. The
increased income is already uplifting their families’ living standards, while
also inspiring neighboring communities to think bigger.
A Shared Triumph
The journey of Cavendish banana cultivation in
Niyadawanaya is a powerful example of how vision, dedication, and teamwork can
transform lives. The CSIAP sincerely recognizes and appreciates the
tireless efforts of Ms. Disanayake and Mr. Karunarathna, whose commitment and
hands-on involvement have been instrumental in uplifting the farming community
of Niyadawanaya. Their dedication exemplifies the CSIAP’s mission of
transforming smallholder farmers into successful commercial producers,
improving livelihoods while building resilience to climate change. Ms. Disanayake’s
effort, backed by CSIAP’s resources and
partnerships, has turned a small farming community into an inspiring success
story.
As rows of bright green Cavendish banana plants sway under the
Niyadawanaya sun, they stand as a symbol of hope—not only for the farmers who
now dream bigger but also for Sri Lanka’s future in climate-smart,
export-oriented agriculture.
By Samantha Mallawaarachchi, IEC & ICT Specialist, PMU, CSIAP
Posted by CSIAP Sri Lanka Read full article Published Date : 2025-09-07
