Country CBA Project Sri Lanka A study to

Country CBA Project : Sri Lanka A study to economically evaluate possible adaptation measures for climate vulnerabilities in paddy and Other Field Crops (OFCs) in ‘Mahaweli’ major irrigation system

Background: NAP related to Agriculture Key Strategies § Promote alternative options to meet nutrition requirements § Ensure easy access to seed stock alternatives/advice to counter rainfall variability § Promote water-efficient farming methods and crops § Encourage development of risk transfer methods § Research climate impacts/adaptive measures for agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors § Conserve genetic resources for future crop and livestock improvement § Research climate impacts on long-term food security and agriculture value chains

Justification • Being an island with 34% agricultural labour force, Sri Lanka is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts where rice is the main crop. • Dry Zone which comprises 2/3 of the land area is the major crop production area and many available projections indicate that climate change impacts will be large in the dry zone. • The rice farming in dry zone is characterized by high input use such as improved varieties, chemical fertilizer and irrigation water. • A decline in rainfall combined with an increase in temperature, evapotranspiration and soil moisture deficit will have serious impacts rice farming and the agriculture at large.

Project area - Mahaweli major irrigation system

Objective To evaluate the possible adaptation measures for climate vulnerabilities towards increasing agriculture productivity in ‘Mahaweli’ major irrigation system Methodology Field research with participation of subject matter specialists, farming communities, and NGOS/CBOs.

Action plan Activity Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Identification a site of paddy - OFCs cropping system under ‘Mahaweli’ major irrigation system - ‘Mahaweli X system H’ Characterization of pre and post conditions of the project implementation - Crops/ Livestock/ Soil/ Water/ X X Management/ Socio-economic Introduction of paddy and OFCs varieties with improved characters - Short aged/ Drought tolerant/ X X X Heat tolerant Introduction of all possible site specific soil and moisture conservation techniques towards soil fertility improvement - Mulching/ Addition of organic matter/ Site specific fertilizer recommendation

Activity Application of improved on farm and off farm water management technologies Conducting awareness and capacity building programmes for farmers Continuous progress monitoring and evaluation of project activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 X X X X X Final impact assessment on water and agriculture productivity improvement, socio - economic improvement and positive impacts on environmental aspects X

Implementing agency: § Field Crops Research and Development Institute, Department of Agriculture (DOA) Supporting agencies: §Natural Resource Management Center, DOA §Ministry of Environment §Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority §International Water Management Institute Progress monitoring and evaluation: Frequency: Seasonal basis Agency: Department of Agriculture

Outputs 1. Increased irrigation efficiency and water savings 2. Improved soil fertility - chemical, physical and biological 3. Increased agriculture productivity 4. Increased farmer income Outcome Improved living standards of the farming community through appropriate adaptation measures for climate vulnerabilities

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