More facilities under Mahinda Chinthana to top up tanks:

Irrigation on an unprecedented scale

By P. Krishnaswamy

The Irrigation Department which is over 100-years-old has played a significant role in harnessing water through the construction of a large number of reservoirs and tanks to increase agricultural productivity while also contributing to the economic and social welfare of farmers.

Dredging uncleared tanks

By 2020, the irrigation sector will become a key-driving force in agricultural development with the supply of water in adequate, quantities and in a eco-friendly manner.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he came into power in 2005, gave priority to making the country self-sufficient in rice and under the 'Mahinda Chintana' concept, has already achieved it. The Irrigation Department and the Mahaveli Authority under his guidance have contributed immensely towards achieving that goal. Export promotion Zones are to be set up in Ampara, Hambantota, Polonnaruwa and Mannar for promoting the export of rice and other food crops.

Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, Nimal Siripala de Silva told the media that the Irrigation Department is a responsible and capable institution that has constantly achieved its targets despite many challenges and many of the major reservoir projects under its management. The Rs.6.7 billion Deduruoya Reservoir Project that will be completed in March 2013 will bring 30,000 acres of arable land under cultivation, benefiting over 50,000 farmers while also consolidating the national plan of food security in the country, he said.

The water level and storage of 71 major reservoirs under its management in the agricultural districts of Ampara, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Hambantota, Matara, Matale, Kurunegala, Monaragala, Polannaruwa, Puttalama, Trincomalee, Vavuniya and Mannar have risen to an average of 55 percent after experiencing rainfall in the catchment areas during the recent monsoonal rains.

In the last decade high reservoir density helped water management enabling storage of erratic rainfall, development of new water storage and diversion facilities such as the Wehragala, Mau-Oya, Kekiriobanda and Wemedilla diversions. Better water management strategies such as change of stagger in the Kaltota scheme, reduction of land preparation period to 3 weeks and adoption of 3 - 3 1/2 month rice varieties in Maha have been adopted for increasing productivity.

The Dam Safety and Water Resources Planning Project (DSWRPP) is under implementation for dam safety and operational efficiency improvement, upgrading and modernizing of current Hydro-Meteorological Information System (HMIS) and for Multi Sectoral Water Resources Planning. The total cost of the DSWRP is US $ 71.66 million ( Rs.8187 Mn) of which IDA/World Bank Credit is US$ 65.33 Mn (Rs.7586 Mn) and the Government of Sri Lanka conribution is US $ 6.33 Mn (Rs.602 Mn). The objectives of the project is to " improve the development and management of water resources within the country, reduce water induced hazards to public, and enhance effectiveness of water related investments". The Bowatenne, Polgolla, Victoria, Randenigala, Rantambe, Kotmale, Kalwewa, Kandalama, Dambulu Oya, Maduru Oya and Chandrikawewa under the Mahaveli Authority, the Parakrama Samudraya, Menneriya, Giritale, Kaudula, Kantale, Nachchduwa, Huruluwewa, Rajangana, Nuwarawewa, Tissawewa, Vendrasan, Ingnimitiyai , Ridiyagama, Tabbowa, Nalanda and Usgala-Siyambalangamuwa under the Irrigation Department , Canyon, Castlereagh, Laxapana and Norton under the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Kalatuwawa tank under the Water Supply and Drainage Board have been selected and work is in progress on these, with wok nearing completion in some of them.

Some of the areas being cultivated

Tank acreage being increased to ensure irrigation throughout the year

The Irrigation Department implemented several major multi-purpose reservoir and irrigation projects from its inception, starting from the massive Galoya Valley and Udawalawa Development Projects under the government of Prime Minister D.S.Senanayake, followed by other projects by successive governments including the Chandrika Wewa Project, Jayanthi Wewa Project and the Lunugamwehara project (Kirindioya), Mahakanadarawa and Rajangana projects. The Department also played its significant role towards the massive Mahaveli Multi-purpose Development Project which encompasses many parts of the country.

The Department already implemented several major projects under the ' Mahinda Chintana' concept that : " By 2020, the Irrigation Sector will become the driving force in agriculture development with the supply of water in adequate, equitable and reliable quantities and in a sustainable, efficient and economic-friendly manner".

These development projects in the irrigation and agricultural sector have been well studied, minutely planned and systematically implemented to ensure biodiversity and sustainability , thanks to the vision of our ancient rulers and President Rajapaksa, while water crisis, both for consumption and food crop production, is looming large in many world nations today. In many countries, water diversion from rivers has now reached a point where some of them no longer make it to the sea. In some, especially in the Middle East countries, exploitation of below-surface water has been excessive and reckless, without regard for what is sustainable and without any plans for replenishment.

Fortunately Sri Lanka is safeguarded in this respect. The future of the irrigation sector has been set out in a way to promote agriculture productivity by increasing the availability of new water resources and enhancing the present level of waster use and conveyance efficiency to an optimal level. Under the ' New Water Resources Development Program' the already started large scale development programs will be expedited, after resolving the technical and financial constraints over the medium term. These include the Moragahakanda & Kaluganga Reservoirs Development Projects, the Uma Oya Hydro Power Diversion Project and the Rambukkan Oya Project. These reservoir projects will also replenish the below-surface aquifers around the project-site areas. The total investment requirement in the irrigation sector over the period from 2010 to 2020 is estimated at Rs.277.5 billion. Of this Rs.186.7 billion is expected from foreign sources and the remainder will be financed by the government with the support of the private sector.

The Government had allocated Rs.4.062 Billion in the 2012 Budget for 19 ongoing new irrigation projects.

The other ongoing projects will also provide infrastructure facilities to local residents in addition to providing irrigation facilities for the cultivation of paddy and other highland crops.