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Efficient agricultural water use and management in paddy fields in Sri Lanka

National outlook












Salman, M., Suzuki, H., Ahmad, W., Giusti, S., Ali, A., Rathnayake, W.M.U.K., Sirisena, D.N., Senanayake, D.M.J.B., Herath, W.M.T.M., Meegasthenna, J., Ponnampalam, Y., Bandulasena, W.M, De Silva, A., Bandara, D., Nandharathne, A.B.D.T., Sooriyaarachchi, A.T., Pathmarajah, S. 2022. Efficient agricultural water use and management in paddy fields in Sri Lanka – National outlook. Rome, FAO. 



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    Book (stand-alone)
    Technical book
    Efficient agricultural water use and management in paddy fields in Zambia
    National outlook
    2022
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    An increasing number of regions in the world are frequently facing water shortage, and water demand is likely to grow in the next 20-30 years due to intensified agriculture, population growth, urbanization and climate change. Future demand of water by all sectors will, thus, require as much as 25 to 40 percent of water to be re-allocated from lower to higher productivity and employment-oriented activities, particularly in water stressed regions. As such, these reallocations are likely to come from agriculture due to its high share of water use. In view of the projected rise in water demand in both agriculture and non-agricultural sectors, appropriate actions that increase water use efficiency especially in irrigation are crucial to sustainably enhance agricultural production and productivity. In Zambia, rice is one of the most important cereal food and is at the centre of major socioeconomic activity for a large share of rural population. Paddy field system are especially water demanding as it needs continues inundation of the field during most of the growing season. In Zambia, there is no controlled infrastructure for paddy irrigation and nearly all of the rice is grown under paddy field system in the country rainfed lowlands. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been active to increase the understanding of the status of water use efficiency and water productivity in Zambia through the project “Efficient Agricultural Water Use and Management Enhancement in Paddy Fields”, funded by the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
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    Policy brief
    Policy brief
    Promoting productive water use and efficient water management in paddy fields 2023
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    The brief “Promoting productive water use and efficient water management in paddy fields” synthetizes the conclusions of the project “Efficient agricultural water use and management enhancement in paddy fields”. The brief summarizes the project objectives, the situation of paddy production in the participating countries, the lessons learnt from the assessment of paddy production in the context of agricultural water management, and the future actions. Funded by the Government of Japan, Phase I of the project is implemented by the Land and Water Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with partners and national institutions in Sri Lanka and Zambia. The project is expected to increase the understanding of the current status of water use efficiency and water productivity in the two countries, identifying both limits and potentials at national level. The analysis forms a base in assisting countries with technical and policy support to enhance water resources management in paddy fields. Strategies and investment portfolios are developed to ensuring the scaling-up and replication of the results within and outside the target countries and regions.
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    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    Brochure
    Capacity-building for multifunctional and value-added paddy production and water management in Sri Lanka
    Promoting productive water use and efficient water management in paddy fields
    2025
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    As global water demand rises, efficient irrigation practices are crucial for sustainable agriculture, especially for water-intensive crops like rice. The project “Promoting Productive Water Use and Efficient Water Management in Paddy Fields,” funded by the Government of Japan and executed by FAO’s Land and Water Division, targets enhanced agricultural productivity through improved water efficiency in Sri Lanka and Zambia. By establishing pilot sites, the initiative demonstrates effective water management, builds stakeholder capacities, and promotes value-added paddy fields. Focusing on capacity building, the project equips farmers with tools and knowledge to boost yields and profitability while enhancing community resilience to environmental challenges and supporting rural economic well-being.

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