For centuries, rice cultivation has been at the heart of Sri Lankan agriculture, covering over a million hectares annually and accounting for 37% of the country’s land use.
However, climate change has intensified the challenges of managing water resources, particularly for water-intensive paddy farming.
The Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP), supported by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Sri Lankan government with the UNDP, is addressing this issue through an innovative technique known as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD).
A Blend of Tradition and Innovation
Traditionally, Sri Lankan paddy fields relied on continuous flooding, requiring approximately 2,500 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of rice. This method placed immense pressure on water resources, especially during droughts.
AWD, a sustainable alternative, has reduced water usage by up to 27% while increasing cropping intensity from 1.2 to 2.1. This enables farmers to cultivate more frequently, enhancing harvests, income, and food security.
Empowering Farmers through Knowledge
The success of AWD lies in its integration of technology and farmer empowerment. CRIWMP collaborates with farming communities to provide training, tools, and climate advisory services to implement AWD effectively.
Farmers use simple tools like buried water pipes to monitor water levels and irrigate only when necessary, conserving water and optimizing irrigation schedules with agro-meteorological advisories.
Technological Innovations in Water Management
The AWD method has been further strengthened by advanced technologies such as the Sensor Light System and the Water Level Arrow Marking System. The solar-powered Sensor Light System alerts farmers to irrigate when water levels are critically low, while the Water Level Arrow Marking System visually indicates water levels, reducing the need for field inspections. These innovations have empowered farmers like Wasantha, who now consider themselves “smart” farmers, to confidently manage water resources.
A Sustainable Shift in Paddy Cultivation
CRIWMP’s Climate Smart Agriculture Coordinator, Dr. Geethika Wijesundara, describes AWD as a transformative step for sustainable water management. By adopting AWD, farmers can cultivate paddy using just 2.9 to 3 acre-feet of water, freeing up resources to grow other field crops during a third season. This diversification boosts yields, income, and food security.
Environmental and Climate Benefits
Beyond improving water efficiency and productivity, AWD has significantly reduced methane emissions—a key contributor to global warming. In fields using AWD, methane emissions have decreased by 40%, from 570 mg/ha to 325 mg/ha. Nationwide adoption of AWD could reduce Sri Lanka’s methane emissions by 245,000 tons annually.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, CRIWMP plans to conduct soil drainage mapping in two irrigation systems to optimize crop planning for the Yala season. This approach ensures paddy cultivation aligns with water availability while promoting high-value crops to enhance smallholder resilience and profitability.
Sri Lanka’s journey towards climate-resilient agriculture demonstrates the power of blending traditional farming practices with modern innovations. Through AWD and other water management advancements, Sri Lankan farmers are not only growing rice but also cultivating hope, sustainability, and resilience for future generations.
Tobe publishe don Thursday19
“Yukthi Calls for Economic Justice rejecting Debt and Unsustainable Policies”
Yukthi, a collective supporting Sri Lanka’s working-class movements and struggles for democracy and justice, has issued a strong appeal for sustainable economic policies that prioritize the well-being of the people.
The forum vehemently opposes a return to high-interest international capital markets, citing the significant burden these have already imposed on the nation.
On December 13, 2024, the Ministry of Finance announced the completion of a controversial debt restructuring agreement related to Sri Lanka’s international sovereign bonds.
This deal, finalized during a politically sensitive blackout period two days before the presidential election on September 21, 2024, has drawn widespread criticism for its long-term economic repercussions.
Yukthi warns that the agreement, which relies on Macro-Linked Bonds (MLBs) tied to Sri Lanka’s dollar-denominated GDP, will cost the country billions of dollars while failing to provide any substantial debt relief.
Under the terms of the deal, Sri Lanka’s debt repayment obligations are linked to the anticipated rise in its dollar GDP between 2025 and 2027.
However, this projection assumes a temporary appreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee under the ongoing IMF program, which delays significant repayments to bilateral and commercial creditors. An appreciated rupee, while boosting dollar GDP, could hurt foreign earnings necessary for external debt servicing.
The arrangement has severe implications for public finances. External debt servicing is projected at 4.5% of GDP, with repayments consuming 30% of government revenue. This leaves minimal fiscal space for public spending, forcing working people to shoulder the economic burden while bondholders profit.
