Associated problems and farmers' satisfaction in the use of Mahaweli irrigation water during Maha and Yala season at Mahaweli C zone of Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Agricultural activities are carried out in most of the dry zone Sri Lanka with the help of irrigation rather than depending on rainfall pattern. The critical concern of using channel is based on the understanding and analysing the irrigation related problems in broader context of both technical and social aspects. Therefore, this present study was carried out in order to identify the problems and satisfaction level of the Mahaweli C one paddy farmers in using Mahaweli water for drinking, irrigation and other utilization. The Questionnaire survey was conducted among randomly selected 150 farmers from the Mahaweli C one and analysed in SPSS software (version 19). Farmers’ satisfaction level in various needs was identified in both Yala and Maha Season. The limited land for grazing was the major constraint for the livestock rearing farmers. And also, the major constraints of the paddy farmers were the water allocation (90%). Mahaweli C one mainly based on the Maha Season for paddy cultivation (100%) where the source of income was typically higher. The satisfaction level of the farmers regarding the drinking water scheme of the Mahaweli C one shows that 21% of the total was not satisfied with the drinking water. Awareness program related to community participation in the Mahaweli C one regarding the solution in water allocation Yala and Maha Season and the problems of kidney disease and the weed problem, etc will support for further improvement of the command area.