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

Posted by CSIAP Sri Lanka Read full article Published Date : 2025-04-03