The overall goal of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program (MWSIP) is to improve water productivity and household income in the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. The program includes significant investments ¡n water infrastructure for the transfer of water from the south-central ‘wet’ zone to the northern dry zones, construction of storage reservoirs, construction of major conveyance canals and tunnels, and the rehabilitation of existing irrigation infrastructure to improve water supply to existing irrigation systems (major and minor cascade systems). These systems currently suffer from water shortages, particularly during the Yala season, resulting in low cropping intensities and thereby reducing yields and farm and household food security and incomes.
The goal of ISEWP is to prepare a strategy for the improvement of cascade irrigation system efficiency and water productivity. The strategy would include measures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of water delivery service through physical and non-physical improvements (i.e., both infrastructure and operational aspects) and increase farm production and returns (both on- and off-farm measures). An integral part of ISEWP requires that irrigation and agricultural improvements be demonstrated in selected areas as the first step in a scaling-up process of improving the regional productivity of irrigation water and in demonstrating the long-term viability and sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the face of changing climate. The approach ¡s ¡n two inter-related parts; Part 1 — case study irrigation systems, and Part 2 – pilot demonstrations, as outlined below.
Part 1— Case Study Irrigation Systems: The purpose is to recommend improvements to irrigation system operation to increase water delivery efficiencies, both conveyance and operational efficiencies. As outlined below this will be achieved through assessment of current levels of system performance and then the implementation and monitoring and evaluation of recommended changes to system operation. Part 2 — Pilot Demonstrations: The purpose is to demonstrate improvements to current farming systems to increase farm productivity and returns to both land and water
