Country CBA Project :Sri Lanka

A study to economically evaluate possible adaptation measures for climate vulnerabilities in paddy and Other Field Crops (OFCs) in ‘Mahaweli’ major irrigation system

Key Strategies Promote alternative options to meet nutrition requirements

Ensure easy access to seed stock alternatives/advice to counter rainfall variability

Promote water-efficient farming methods and crops

Encourage development of risk transfer methods

Research climate impacts/adaptive measures for agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors

Conserve genetic resources for future crop and livestock improvement

Research climate impacts on long-term food security and agriculture value chains

Background: NAP related to Agriculture

Justification•Being an island with 34% agricultural labour force, Sri Lanka is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts where rice is the main crop.

•Dry Zone which comprises 2/3 of the land area is the major crop production area and many available projections indicate that climate change impacts will be large in the dry zone. •The rice farming in dry zone is characterized by high input use such as improved varieties, chemical fertilizer and irrigation water.

•A decline in rainfall combined with an increase in temperature, evapotranspiration and soil moisture deficit will have serious impacts rice farming and the agriculture at large.

Project area - Mahaweli major irrigation system

Objective

To evaluate the possible adaptation measures for climate vulnerabilities towards increasing agriculture productivity in ‘Mahaweli’ major irrigation system

Methodology

Field research with participation of subject matter specialists, farming communities, and NGOS/CBOs.

Activity Year 1 Year 2Year 3

Identification a site of paddy - OFCs cropping system

under ‘Mahaweli’ major irrigation system - ‘Mahaweli

system H’

X

Characterization of pre and post conditions of the

project implementation - Crops/ Livestock/ Soil/

Water/ Management/ Socio-economic

X X

Introduction of paddy and OFCs varieties with

improved characters - Short aged/ Drought tolerant/

Heat tolerant

X X X

Introduction of all possible site specific soil and

moisture conservation techniques towards soil fertility

improvement - Mulching/ Addition of organic matter/

Site specific fertilizer recommendation

X X X

Action plan

ActivityYear

1

Year 2

Year 3

Application of improved on farm and off

farm water management technologiesX X X

Conducting awareness and capacity

building programmes for farmersX X X

Continuous progress monitoring and

evaluation of project activities X X X

Final impact assessment on water and

agriculture productivity improvement,

socio - economic improvement and positive

impacts on environmental aspects

X

Implementing agency:Field Crops Research and Development Institute, Department of Agriculture (DOA)

Supporting agencies:Natural Resource Management Center, DOAMinistry of EnvironmentSri Lanka Mahaweli AuthorityInternational Water Management Institute

Progress monitoring and evaluation:Frequency: Seasonal basisAgency: Department of Agriculture

Outputs 1. Increased irrigation efficiency and water savings2. Improved soil fertility - chemical, physical and biological3. Increased agriculture productivity4. Increased farmer income

OutcomeImproved living standards of the farming community through appropriate adaptation measures for climate vulnerabilities

Thank you