The Nature of Small-Scale Farmer managed Irrigation Systems In North West Province, Sri Lanka and Potential for Aquaculture.
Abstract
This is one of a series of working papers based on field research that took place in Sri Lanka during December and January 1998, presented as part of a wide-ranging participatory situation analysis. The working papers are interim components of Project R7064, undertaken in Sri Lanka and Southern India, which is of 3 years duration (1999-2002) and aims to investigate the potential for integrated aquaculture options within small-scale farmer managed irrigation systems.
This paper aims to characterise the nature of small-scale farmer managed irrigation systems in the dry lowland agro-ecological zone of Sri Lanka and to identify the researchable constraints to uptake of sustainable aquaculture options relevant to the poor. Based on analysis of secondary and primary data, researchable constraints are identified throughout the text and aquaculture potential in different sub-components of the irrigation system assessed. Rapid Rural Appraisals were carried out in two Small Tank Cascade systems (STCs) of North West Province, Sri Lanka (less than 1000 ha total watershed area). A total of 21 tanks and 7 villages were investigated with primary emphasis on two upper watershed communities. The two systems differ primarily in their resource base; namely rainfall, natural forests and proximity to largescale perennial irrigation resources.
Citation
The Nature of Small-Scale Farmer managed Irrigation Systems In North West Province, Sri Lanka and Potential for Aquaculture. Working Paper SL1.3, University of Stirling, UK, 86 pp.
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