• Review the overall progress of the project activities.
• Assess compliance with financial, procurement, and safeguard policies.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of institutional arrangements and project management structures.
• Provide technical assistance and recommendations to address implementation bottlenecks.
• Strengthen stakeholder engagement and coordination mechanisms.

Activities Undertaken During the Mission: During the mission, the team undertook the following activities:

• Field visits to selected project sites.
• Meetings with project staff. implementing agencies, and local stakeholders.
• Review of project documentation, including procurement records, financial statements, and safeguard reports.
• Discussions with beneficiaries to gather feedback on project impact and concerns.

Mr. M. Nisanthan, a 29-year-old graduate of the University of Peradeniya, is an active participant in the CSIAP programme in Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee. As part of the project’s support, he received a drip irrigation system, vegetable seeds, and poly mulching materials for his cultivation activities. Mr. Nisanthan successfully completed Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) training at the Farmer Training School in Thirappane, along with business training at the Farmer Business School in Kuchchaveli. With the knowledge gained and the guidance provided by the project, he now cultivates onions, long beans, and brinjal successfully.

Mr. K. Konesh, a 61-year-old farmer from Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee, received training on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) at the Farmer Training School in Thirappane, along with additional onsite CSA training. As part of the project support, he was provided with a sprinkler irrigation system and seeds—specifically, chilli and brinjal. Ms. U. S. Sameeha, the Agriculture Facilitator in Kuchchaveli, continues to provide Mr. Konesh with the necessary technical guidance and information to support his farming activities.

Dr. Sheu Salau officially unveiled the plaque of the Thuwarankulam Project in Pulmoddai alongside his team. This important initiative marks a significant step in enhancing local irrigation infrastructure.Under the project, eight new turnouts and a 1 km-long water channel will be constructed. Additionally, a new sluice will be built, while the existing tank bund, one sluice, and a spill will undergo essential repairs. As part of the project’s inclusive approach, the World Bank team engaged directly with farmers and members of the Social Audit Committee. 

The World Bank officials received a warm welcome from the farmers in Pulmoddai, who then accompanied them to the Pulmoddai Agrarian Service Centre for a meeting with members of the Kaataru and Puliyankulam Cascade Management Committees.

World Bank officials visited the Seed Paddy Cleaning Unit in Mailawewa, Gomarankadawala, to observe its daily operations. The CSIAP has provided a Paddy Seed Cleaner and a Bag Closer Machine to the Vishaka Producer Society, enabling them to carry out the unit’s day-to-day functions efficiently.

Young farmer Mr. Kasun Nirmal, 24, from Mailawewa, received an insect-proof net, poly mulching materials, and a drip irrigation system through the project. He also underwent onsite training on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices. Currently, Kasun cultivates capsicum and chilli using these improved techniques.

Mr. M. Dharmadasa, a 61-year-old farmer from Galgadawa, has significantly enhanced his farming practices through support received under the Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) initiative. The project equipped him with solar panels, an agro well, an insect-proof net, poly mulching, and a drip irrigation system—transformative tools for sustainable farming. To build his capacity, Mr. Dharmadasa attended CSA training at the Farmer Training School in Thirappane and the Farmer Business School. Additionally, he benefited from specialised onsite training tailored to CSA techniques. As part of the support package, he also received high-quality seeds, including chilli, capsicum, mung beans, and maize, helping him diversify and strengthen his crop production. Mr. Dharmadasa's journey exemplifies how targeted interventions and training can empower smallholder farmers to adopt resilient, climate-smart agricultural practices.

A 3km long solar-powered electric elephant fence, which covers 60 acres, was given to  Gamunu Farmer Society in Madugahawewa. The solar-powered elephant fence is proving to be an effective and sustainable solution to mitigate human-elephant conflicts, particularly in areas where the CSIAP is being implemented. These fences utilise solar energy, reducing reliance on grid electricity and lowering operational costs. By deterring elephants from entering human settlements, these fences help prevent crop damage and property destruction, while also safeguarding elephants from potential harm due to human retaliation. In Sri Lanka, where human-elephant conflicts are a significant concern, adopting solar-powered fencing solutions could offer a sustainable and humane approach to coexistence.

The alternate wetting and drying (AWD) method, which is a water-saving irrigation technique primarily used in rice cultivation where fields are intermittently flooded and drained, instead of being continuously submerged, was given to the Kudapanikatiyawa Farmer Organisation in  Panikatiyawa. This method allows for significant water savings (up to 30% reduction) without affecting yield. AWD also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, from rice production. An AWD was installed in farmer Mr. S. Senevirathna’s paddy field too. 

Mr. S.M. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director and Subject Specialists and Officers from the Project Management Unit, were also present. Mr. R. Umakanthan, Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP in Eastern Province, organized and facilitated this World Bank Mission with his provincial staff.

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

Posted by CSIAP Sri Lanka Read full article Published Date : 2025-04-05