Social–ecological dynamics in irrigated agriculture in dry zone Sri Lanka: a political ecology

The study deals with social–ecological dynamics in irrigated agriculture in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. Paddy cultivation on small-scale farms, the prevalent livelihood strategy in the region, is highly dependent on irrigation. Small village tanks and large-scale irrigation schemes shape agricultural life, together with modernized agrarian technologies in accordance with “Green Revolution” approaches. Based on field research conducted in North Central and Eastern Province in 2013/2014, this paper evaluates the current state of rural development in the dry zone through the perspective of political ecology, emphasizing the central role of sustainable water management issues. We find that hardships of the local populations are mainly comprised by the occurrence of a quasi-epidemic kidney disease (CKDu), socio-economic tensions, and post-conflict challenges. Through the lense of the political ecology approach, the study suggests that agricultural modernization in the Sri Lankan dry zone has created severe dilemmas to the social and environmental sustainability of irrigated agriculture.