Potential for aquaculture within farmer-managed irrigation systems - Lessons learnt in Northwest Sri Lanka. Report of summary findings produced for CARE International.
Abstract
The findings relate to a three-year study in which a general overview of fish demand was placed in the context of seasonal tanks in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Thirteen cascades in discrete locations over a wide geographical area (North West, North Central and Central Provinces) were assessed using a rapid screening process informed by a preliminary situation analysis. In depth research was subsequently carried out in 14 watersheds in three clusters, located in Puttalam and Kurunegala Districts, North West Province between 1999 and 2001. Preliminary farmer-managed trials took place with four communities (5 Tanks) in 1999/00. A second phase of modified trials took place with three new communities and one old (5 Tanks) in 2000/01. A fortnightly household livelihood monitoring survey, incorporating a participatory impact monitoring (PIM) component, was undertaken concurrently with the second phase of trials. This incorporated a total of 40 wealth-stratified households in four communities in different watershed locations. This commenced with a detailed baseline survey and was implemented over 14 months. Other village level activities concurrent with the Phase 2 trials included a detailed longitudinal assessment of tank nutrient dynamics, hydrology (8 tanks) and fish yields (5 tanks). A detailed questionnaire assessing the outcome of the agricultural cropping strategies of the 40 monitoring households and PIM questionnaire investigating the fisheries enhancement outcomes were also undertaken at the completion of the second trial phase.
The findings are presented under the following headings:
1. Community managed water bodies as a focus for development
2. The nature of seasonal tanks in watersheds of the Dry Zone
3. Demand for inland fish
4. The nature of seasonal tanks and implications for aquatic production
5. Settlement around, and access to, seasonal tanks
6. Intervention approaches to benefit the poor.
Citation
Potential for aquaculture within farmer-managed irrigation systems - Lessons learnt in Northwest Sri Lanka. Report of summary findings produced for CARE International. University of Stirling, UK, 13 pp.
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