Traditional agricultural systems in Asia have been beneficial for the economy, environment, and society for many centuries. Despite the increasing adoption of modern agricultural practices, there is a growing recognition of the importance of preserving these systems to address climate change, conserve biodiversity, manage land, and promote social harmony through shared resource management.

In 2014, the Deduru Oya reservoir was constructed in the Northwestern Province of Sri Lanka. The primary objective of this project is to improve the livelihoods of farmers in certain areas of the North-Western Province. The reservoir serves as a valuable site for research and experimentation in combining modern and ancient irrigation systems.

Analysis indicates that the new Deduru Oya reservoir will adequately meet the water requirements for paddy cultivation in the Left Bank development area, even under normal climatic conditions. Furthermore, the integration of existing small tanks distributed throughout the region enhances resilience during periods of severe drought. This integration also facilitates macro-micro scale coordination, granting autonomy at the micro level.