Abstract:
In the dry zone of Sri Lanka where agriculture is the main livelihood, both farmers and water managers target the
best use of water. System H is an area that had been developed for irrigated agriculture using diversions from
river Mahaweli. Study of water use practices was carried out in two irrigation schemes where farmers cultivate
the same crop in one hectare alloonents under the support and supervision of the same regional authority.
Records of water use and agriculture are not well maintained. Using field visits, discussions with farmers, and
meetings with officials were used to fill data gaps three water issue scenario were compared. Results of each
scheme varied because water release and rotation practices for crop growth are quite different from each other,
canal efficiency assumptions are different, land preparation water use and quantity are dissimilar, and water
releases do not consider much about growth stages. The study mdicated that use of challenging water issues
considering co-ordinated and rational grouping of canals could lead to a saving of 10-30cm of water per unit
area. A discussion of the need for a critical evaluation of guidelines and the present practice of cultivation is
included.
