In Ilavalai, the heartland of agriculture in Jaffna, a quiet but serious issue is affecting local farmers and their livelihoods. A vendor has constructed a tube well in the middle of agricultural land to extract large amounts of groundwater for commercial purposes. As a result, farmers have noticed a significant drop in water levels in their wells, and some have even started experiencing salinization. This particularly concerns nearly 190 farming families who depend on groundwater to grow crops like grapes, onions, bananas, and vegetables. Without enough fresh water, their agricultural activities are at risk.
At the center of this issue is an
ice factory, extracting between 50,000 to 100,000 liters of water daily from a 75-foot-deep
tube well since 2020. Since then, farmers have observed declining water levels
and a change in water quality. Some wells that used to fill up to 20–25 feet
during the rainy season no longer reach those levels. A 100-acre grape orchard
near the factory had to be sold in 2022 due to severe water shortages, and
farmers now have to reduce the water pumping time to maintain the same
irrigation levels. In addition to the water scarcity, they have also noticed an
increase in water hardness, which affects soil quality and plant growth.
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During my visit, I engaged with the farmers and explained the science behind their water problems. In Jaffna peninsula and the islands in Northern Sri Lanka, freshwater exists as a lens floating over saltwater underground. When too much water is extracted too quickly, it causes up-coning, a process where saltwater from deeper layers is pulled up into freshwater layers. This leads to salinization, which can make the water unsuitable for irrigation. Many farmers were unaware of this phenomenon, but after our discussion, they realized that unregulated groundwater extraction directly contributes to the issues they are facing.
To better understand the impact
of commercial groundwater extraction, we selected monitoring wells using a radius-based
approach, with the commercial extraction well as the center. Farmers can track changes in their water levels and quality by identifying wells within this radius of influence. This method helps assess how far the extraction
well's impact extends and provides valuable data for scientific analysis and
community action. Additionally, I encouraged farmers to monitor their
irrigation practices, as excessive pumping from their own wells can further
disturb the groundwater balance. Over-extraction from multiple wells in the
area can accelerate water depletion, intensify competition for limited water
resources, and even trigger salinization through up-coning.
To help manage the situation, I encouraged farmers to monitor their well water levels regularly and adopt sustainable irrigation practices such as drip irrigation and controlled pumping schedules. Keeping records of water depth throughout the seasons will provide valuable evidence of groundwater depletion, which can strengthen their case when addressing the issue with local authorities. Additionally, I urged them to continue advocating for fair and responsible water use policies that consider both agricultural and commercial needs.
Farmers, researchers, and policymakers can push for better regulations that ensure groundwater is used wisely by working together. The farmers of Ilavalai have already taken
important steps by voicing their concerns and seeking solutions. They can protect their water resources and safeguard their agricultural future with continued efforts.