Day 25 - Irrigation Pipes

Large irrigation wells are a relatively new addition to the agricultural infrastructure in Pattiyawala but an insurance for the farmers in case it doesn't rain and an opportunity to continue farming in the dry season. Just having an irrigation well is not enough; farmers must invest in PVC pipes and a motor to pump the water out of the well and onto their cultivation plot.

A few days prior to my arrival in the village, my host's 100 ft PVC pipe was stolen, so she had to purchase new pipes. Today we went to the cultivation plot with her irrigation well and set up the new pipeline to water the mix crops she has cultivated for this Yala season. This made me wonder about the gendered experiences of farmers. It is more difficult for a female farmer, like my host, to protect her fields and equipment because she may be perceived as an easy target for intimidation or theft. As a widow, she finds it difficult to address these issues at the village level because she needs support from male members and others in the village for various activities such as setting up the pipeline. Thereby making her uniquely vulnerable.