Female contribution in minor irrigation system water management - a case study in selected seven minor irrigation systems in anuradhapura district

Abstract

Minor irrigation systems are the life blood of the dry zone agriculture in Sri Lanka. These systems satisfy the water needs of humans, animals as well as the environment. As agriculture is the central water user of these systems, a proper water management in agriculture is imperative. Despite of gender differences the majority of the people in the dry zone engage in irrigated agriculture. Beside that, women playa pivotal role in water resource management. They work as water collectors, storekeepers and controllers for water use and sanitation. Thus, they are considered as the best primary water managers in household usage as well as in irrigated and rain fed agriculture. However, there is a norm that irrigated agriculture in Sri Lanka is lead by the men and women are often considered as helpers of their husbands. However the studies on gender participation and water management are rarely found in Sri Lanka according to the reports of World Water Assessment Programme (WW AP).Thus, there is a need to identify the gender vise contribution in irrigation water management and bring those to planners and policy makers.