As part of the Sri Lanka Water Partnership (SLWP) continuing programme on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in the irrigation sector, a workshop on the above was held on the 24th March 2016 for Irrigation Department (ID) staff of the Monaragala District at the In-Service Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture at Angunakolapellessa. The 35 participants (27 male and 8 female) included Engineers, Engineering Assistants, Development Officers and Field Assistants of the ID. This programme was part of SLWP World Water Day Programme and was implemented as a SLWP and Cap Net Lanka joint activity.
The Programme included two specialist presentations on Climate Change Impacts on Farming and Rural Livelihoods and on Cropping Options/ Practices for Dry Zone Agriculture to Cope with Climate Change. The practical session included a visit to the School of Agriculture Angunakolapellessa where the participants were introduced to the extensive rain water harvesting techniques being practiced both for perennial and annual crops and drip irrigation systems operating on solar power. A visit to the Mahaveli Authority Uda Walawe Project followed where a newly developed “On Demand” Irrigation System had been installed and was one of 5 such systems presently in operation in Uda Walawe. The participants were introduced to the technical and institutional issues that had arisen in system operations. ')}
