PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

Performance assessment is a tool for improving the level of service or operation between irrigation related institutions and, in turn the efficiency with which resources are being used. It is important to ensure that indicators that are selected to quantify the performance of a system describe it in respect to the objectives established for that system. A meaningful indicator can be used in two distinct ways. It tells managers in all levels, what the current performance of the system is and, in conjunction with other indicators, may help them to identify the correct course of action to improve performance within that system. In this sense the use of the same indicator over time is important because it assists in identifying trends that may help before the remedial measures become too expensive or too complex. The ultimate purpose of performance assessment is to achieve efficient, productive and effective irrigation and drainage systems by providing relevant feedback to the management at all levels. As such, it may assist management or policy makers in determining whether performance is satisfactory and, if not, which corrective actions need to be taken to remedy the situation. This dissertation discusses indicators that can be used for assessing long term performance, including physical, economic and social sustainability. The primary focus is on the management of canal systems for agricultural production which is more important for food security of the country. Agriculture sector in Sri Lanka contributes about 18 % to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides 34 % of the total employment. About 85 % of population resides in rural areas, where agriculture is the main economic activity. Dry Zone is the granary area and produces 2.1 million tons of paddy, 80% of the national production is the main economic activity of small farm holder in the rural areas. Paddy production heavily depends on irrigation, which enables stable production in the wet season and expanding cropped area in the Dry season. Due to government efforts, irrigation development is accelerated since 1970 until self sufficiency level of paddy from. 42 % in 1970 to 95 % in 1995 is achieved. Sometimes it fluctuates between 75 % and 99 %. Under this situation, the role of paddy production is in macro-economic view point.