Valuing water in irrigated agriculture and reservoir fisheries : a multiple-use irrigation system in Sri Lanka

To help address this problem, the present report examines the relative economic contributions of irrigated agriculture and reservoir fisheries in the Kirindi Oya irrigation system in southeastern Sri Lanka. The results of the analysis indicate the importance of both irrigated paddy production and reservoir fisheries to the local economy. They also demonstrate significant potential financial and economic gains to irrigated agriculture from improvements in water management practices. Since these water uses are interdependent, policymakers must consider how changes in water management practices may affect reservoir levels and water quality and the fisheries that depend on them. (Author abstract, modified)