Colombo: Sri Lanka has launched the development of its first Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Investment Plan, aimed at addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change. The initiative, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, seeks to create a robust strategy to protect the nation's agricultural sector from the adverse effects of climate change.

Given Sri Lanka's tropical climate, the country is highly vulnerable to climate change, consistently ranking among the top 10 nations at risk of extreme weather events according to the Global Climate Risk Index. The FAO reports that shifting weather patterns, rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and increased frequency of extreme weather events are already reducing agricultural productivity and water availability across the island.

The CSA Investment Plan will serve as a strategic framework to enhance agricultural development and resilience in the face of climate change. Agriculture in Sri Lanka's dry and intermediate zones is particularly at risk, with research indicating a potential 10-12 percent reduction in crop yields if effective interventions are not implemented. The plan aims to mitigate these impacts by fostering climate-resilient agricultural practices and ensuring sustainable food production for the future.