There are 32 irrigation schemes in Sri Lanka. These agricultural colonies originated as development projects. Though the government had many objectives, the farmers faced issues. Therefore, in order to resolve farmer issues, the government implemented strategies to improve public participation in development projects. Accordingly, Farmers Organizations were established, and the government expected to get the participation of the public in these organization. This dissertation aims at evaluating the success and failure of the Farmer Organizations. The first chapter discusses the research problem, significance, aims, scope, methods and limitations. The second chapter focuses on the origins and evolution of Farmer Organizations. The expected functions of Farmer Organizations, the experience, irrigation establishing and management are discussed. The third chapter focuses on how the concept of Farmer Organizations has been used in the Asian irrigation system. A discussion was presented as to how the same concept has been used in India, Pakistan, Philippine, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia and the and the success of it in those countries. The fourth chapter presents the aim and objective of establishing Farmer Organizations, the success and failure related to Girithale area. Further it discusses how the Farmer Organizations are used in irrigation management. Comparison of Asian irrigation management with Sri Lankan irrigation management, origins of Farmer Organizations in Girithale, their function, the impact on income and future commercial agreements, the contribution of women , family nutrition, production are discussed. Finally, how the future of Farmer Organizations should be formed, how they can be used for uplifting lives are summarized.
