Practices for Year-round Irrigation in Mahaweli System B
System 'B' farmers have a relatively dry period of ten months from Jan. to Oct. where non-rice crops can be successfully grown. Thus, they have an opportunity to get the highest price available in the market by scheduling planting to suit market windows. Further, they can undertake to supply vegetables on a regular basis on an agreed price throughout the year. In this scenario farmer will be employed gainfully in his farm throughout the year. He also could provide employment to at least two or there persons on full time basis. In contrast, when paddy cultivation is considered farmer is employed only four months of the year during planting and harvesting period. Providing irrigation water on a year around basis to farmers would create two most important conditions among many other advantages. One, a market oriented production ( cultivation practices ) and the other, full employment at his farm throughout the year.