Status of micro irrigation systems adopted for vegetable cultivation in Polonnaruwa district, Sri Lanka

M D Udagedara,M Sugirtharan

doi:10.4038/agrieast.v11i2.34

M D Udagedara, M Sugirtharan

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4038/agrieast.v11i2.34

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Abstract

Micro-irrigation System (MIS) is proved to be an efficient method in saving water and increasing water use efficiency as compared to the conventional surface method of irrigation. However, use of MIS in Sri Lanka especially in the dryzone is very low. The present study was aimed to find the status of MIS adopted for vegetable cultivation in view of extending the cultivable land with MIS to increase the water use efficiency in five Divisional Secretariat (DS) division of Polonnaruwa district. Primary data were collected from 150 farmers using structured questionnaires, direct observation, field visit and personal interview. Results showed that, 17.3% of farmers adopted MIS in the study area. Most of MIS adopted farmers’ family income was higher than the MIS not adopted farmers due to the reduction in labour cost and the selection of higher value crops for the cultivation. Most of MIS adopted farmers (65.4%) were cultivating vegetable in both seasons and 88.5 % of them pointed that their yield was increased by adopting MIS. Higher initial cost was the major drawback in implementing MIS system in the study area. Lack of capitals and knowledge were the major constrains for adopting MIS. Therefore, regular extension services, training program and supply of subsidies for establishment MIS are very essential in the study area to enhance the water use efficiency by adopting MIS.

Highlights

Increasing population in the world, increases the demand for food as well as the land area
The major findings on the status of Micro-irrigation System (MIS) adoption among the vegetable farmers in the 5 Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions of the Polonnaruwa district are presented
It was the overview of the current trend regarding the MIS adoption pattern in Polonnaruwa District, Sri Lanka

Summary

Introduction

Increasing population in the world, increases the demand for food as well as the land area. The food production in most of the developing countries is mainly based on agriculture crops. As the limitation of land resources, productivity is the only possible way to supply the edible food to the rest of the population who are not cultivating the crops. Agriculture has been a major occupation in Sri Lanka. Majority of the people in Sri Lanka had been engaged in vegetable cultivation. There are two main types of vegetables grown in Sri Lanka based on geographical and climatic conditions. The upcountry vegetable constitutes crops such as cabbage, carrot, beet root, cauliflower, knolkhol, beans, tomato and capsicum which are grown in commercial scale with high input use. The other group constitutes the low country vegetables which include brinjal, chilli, bitter gourd, snake gourd, pumpkin and luffa which are cultivated less intensively under low input system (Bogahawatta, 2002)

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Results

Conclusion