The Progress Review of the Climate Smart Agriculture Project (CSIAP)  in Uva Province was held at the Uva Provincial Office, Wellawaya on 25th this month to keep the World Bank informed about the project's status, addressing any issues promptly, and ensure that the project stays aligned with its objectives and timelines.

Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP & Mission Leader Dr.  Sheu Salau led the World Bank Team which consisted of  Consultant Mr. S. Manoharan, Senior Agriculture Specialist Dr. Athula Senarathne and Voice Secondee Ms. Sima Ramrattan from the Republic of Suriname attended this meeting. Mr. D.M.L. Bandaranayake, Deputy Project Director (Uva Province) welcomed the World Bank Officials and the CSIAP Staff,  and presented the overall progress of the province. Subject Specialists and Subject Officers of Uva Province presented the progress of the project activities till April 2024 by MIS.

After the Progress Review Meeting, the World Bank Officials visited the work site of the Hingure Ara tank at Wagurawela in the Buththala to observe the rehabilitation process undertaken by the Hinguruara Shakthi Farmers’ Organization. The rehabilitation of the tank identified by the Parappuwa Cascade Management Committee costs Re. 2.20 million. Members of Hinguruara Shakthi Farmers’ Organization had an opportunity to discuss the work done in the tank with the World Bank Team.

The World Bank Team observed the rehabilitation of the Udarawewa tank in the Buttala and discussed the rehabilitation process of it with farmers and officials of the Department of Agrarian Development (DAD). Officials of the CSIAP in Uva Province pointed out if the farmers could cultivate in the Intermediate Season, cropping intensity under this tank would increase up to 300% which will contribute the economy of the country.

The World Bank team inspected Water Melon Cultivation using insect-proof nets and drip irrigation facilities including Solar Powered Water Pump at Neluwagala in Wellawaya. A Framer Mr. Ariyadasa explained that he managed to make a profit of Rs 600,000.00 from Chillie Cultivation in the insect-proof net with drip irrigation during Maha 2023/24.  Mr.Ariyadasa uses a Solar Powered Water Pump given by CSIAP to irrigate his farm.

Solar Powered Electric Fences erected at 18 Yaya in the Thelulla were inspected by the World Bank.   The land size of 20.8 ha for 25 farmers to cultivate paddy is covered with these fences during this Yala season. The total length of the fence is 2.596 km and farmers insisted that they had not faced crop damages done by wild elephants during the last maha (2022/23) due to these electric fences which cost Rs. 1.298 million with Rs 4.5 million worth of labour.

Finally, the World Bank Officials visited the Chili Cultivation field at Thelulla, which belongs to Farmer Mr. Meththananda, is used with insect insect-proof net, poly mulch and drip irrigation system provided by CSIAP during Yala 2023. The farmer stated that he was able to earn around Rs. 2 million as profit from Chili and Water Melon with the use of equipment provided by the project.   

Posted by CSIAP Sri Lanka Read full article Published Date : 2024-04-29