The 12th Steering meeting and INWEPF (The International Network for Water and Environment in the Paddy Field) Symposium 2015 was held in Negombo, Sri Lanka on November 3-5. The event was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and Ministry of Agriculture.
The inaugural meeting and symposium took place on November 3. Minister Vijith Wijeyamuni Soysa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management in Sri Lanka, was the chief guest at the inaugural session. The aim of the symposium was to create a platform for professionals from the irrigated agriculture sector who play significant multiple roles in improving land and water productivity as well as protecting the related ecosystems. The symposium gathered around 220 local and international delegates. Those in attendance included INWEPF participants from 17 member countries and international member organizations. Local participants included researchers, engineers, practicing professionals from government and civil society organizations, academia and experts in agri-business enterprises.
IWMI’s Ian Makin, Herath Manthrithilake and Mohamed Aheeyar attended the symposium. During the technical session of the symposium, Ian and Mathrithilake presented on Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture with Sustainable Irrigated Agroecosystem Services. Aheeyar gave a presentation on Technical Efficiency of Paddy Cultivation in Anicut Schemes in the Walawe Basin. IWMI also had a publications booth at the event.