Abstract:
Understanding and analyzing the irrigation related problems in a broader
context of both technical and social realities, is necessary for an irrigation scheme
development and management. In this view, this study was conducted at the Unnichchai
command area of Batticaloa district during September 2009 to March 2010 to assess the
status of the agricultural production, socio-economic and livelihood conditions of the
fanners.
The study shows that there are range of variations in socioeconomic and
livelihood of fanners in the command area that determined the involvement of farming
activities. Women's participation (12%) was not at desirable level and there are
misunderstanding of fanners in water use and allocation for their cultivation. Most of
the farmers (80%) are having a moderate level of socioeconomic status because of
irrigation schemes. Only few farmers (14%) are involved in large scale forming. As the
livelihood is concerned, the farmers depend on alternative sources for income like
inland fishing,
The availability of grazing lands is the major constraint for livestock
development, because during dry season most of the grazing lands are dried due to
unavailability of water. Due to this the livestock farmers are shifting their livestock to
other places. In crop development, the major constraints are the threat of wild animals,
unpredictable rainfall pattern and water scarcity in tail region. It also revealed that, crop
and livestock sectors of command area are growing exponentially after the end of the
war by increasing the extent of cultivated land. However, awareness programmes
related to community participation especially women's participation in command area
development, efficient water use and water allocation will assist to improve the present
conditions of the Unnichchai command area.
