Role of Extension in Irrigation Water Management in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Irrigation plays a vital role in agricultural production in Sri Lanka. This paper highlights the dynamic role of extension in effective irrigation water management by farmers engaged in both surface as well as ground water irrigation. Irrigation water management to be effective should meet the perceived needs of the three major stakeholders namely the farmers, the system operators and the policy makers. The recent trend is the transfer of irrigation system management from the government agencies to the farmer organizations. The farmer organizations should, therefore, be strengthened by training and by the provision of necessary legal, economic and social supports so that they could play an effective role in motivating farmers to become partners rather than mere participants in irrigation water management. On-farm water management technologies for effective water use should be demonstrated to farmers and they be encouraged to adopt the same. The village level officers from both government and non-government agencies engaged in advising farmers in irrigated agriculture should be trained periodically so that they could perform their role effectively leading to greater agricultural productivity.