Adaptation to the vulnerability of paddy cultivation to climate change based on seasonal rainfall characteristics
| Title | Adaptation to the vulnerability of paddy cultivation to climate change based on seasonal rainfall characteristics |
| Abstract/Description | This study was aimed at identifying adaptation measures to the vulnerability of paddy cultivation in the Dry and Intermediate Zones of Sri Lanka, based on rainfall. The spatial distribution of the onset time of rains, the length of the Yala and the Maha seasons and the number of dry weeks within seasons were determined using weekly rainfall data from 36 rainfall stations in the Dry and Intermediate Zones. Based on the seasonal rainfall characteristics, the cropping calendars for rice crops for each agro-ecological region (AER) were prepared. This study discloses a high spatial variability of the onset time of both the Yala and Maha seasons. Many AERs in the Dry Zone and some AERs in the Intermediate Zone do not have a distinct Yala season. The Yala rains in the Dry Zone are highly variable and the most probable length of the season may not exceed four weeks from the onset time. During the Maha season, there is enough rain water for paddy cultivation. The proposed cropping calendars can be used as a tool in farming activities from the land preparation to harvesting. Such information could assist to reduce the amount of irrigation water required and the frequency of water issued from the tanks in the respective regions without a wide margin of errors. It can also be used as a decision support tool in planning rainfed upland agricultural systems as well. The identification of dry periods within a season is necessary for the farmers to be aware and adapt to recent advanced technologies to reduce the water use for rice cultivation. Periodical checking and revision of the cropping calendars with future climate predictions are recommended. |
| Author(s) | Chithranayana. R.D. Punyawardhane. R. |
| Publisher(s) | National Science Foundation |
| Medium | English |
| Document Category | Impacts,Vulnerability and Adaptation |
| Document Sub-category | Agriculture & Food Security |
| Resource Type | Journal Article |
| How to Cite | Chithranayana, R. and Punyawardena, B., 2014. Adaptation to the vulnerability of paddy cultivation to climate change based on seasonal rainfall characteristics. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 42(2), pp.119–127. |
| License Information | No license information mentioned |
| Availability | Only Meta Data with a link to the Full Text Document |
| Also available in | Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka |
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