JICA assistance for study on irrigation sector

The Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has undertaken to conduct a study on increasing the Capacity of Integrated Management in Irrigation Sector at a request made by the Government of Sri Lanka.

After conducting preparatory study in March 2005, a scope of work and an ex-ante evaluation was prepared by the JICA. The scope of work was agreed and signed on July 6 by the JICA officials and the Agriculture Ministry.

The objective of the study is to formulate a plan to increase the capacity of integrated management of farmers' organisations, officials of the Irrigation Management Division, Department of Irrigation and other persons related to irrigation sector.

It is also planned to strengthen planning capacity of counterpart personnel on management of irrigation sector through the implementation of trial test while conducting the study.

The study will be carried out in the Nachchaduwa and Rajangana irrigation schemes, as core study areas. Adjacent irrigation schemes will also be studied in order to learn the best practices available for formulation of an effective plan. Operation and maintenance of irrigation facilities, water management, training practices, processing/storage/marketing of agricultural products will also be examined during the study.

In the process of promoting large and medium scale irrigation schemes implemented in Sri Lanka after the independence in 1948, emphasis of the government and donor agencies on maintenance of irrigation facilities and water management has increased.

The traditional farmers' organisations had ceased to function in the process of land settlement schemes. The government effort to transfer the responsibilities of maintenance of irrigation facilities to farmers' organisations has not become successful due to various constraints.

The proposed study is expected to analyse and examine this issue in-depth and formulate a solution with trial and test, based on the Japanese lessons and experience in the irrigation sector development in Japan.

The target area, namely Nachchaduwa and Rajangana in the Anuradhapura district are typical areas in the dry zone to build up a model for increasing the income of farmer families.

The applicability and ways and means of the model will be applicable to the North and Eastern region in the process of its rehabilitation and reconstruction in the future. The estimated cost of the study is approximately 85 million Yen and will be an outright grant of the government of Japan. The study is expected to be completed in eight months from August 2005.