Annex 6 of 7

This is a weighty report of formidable bulk and understandably so. Rarely has a Workshop in Bangladesh or anywhere else been so comprehensive in mandate or assembled such an array of fisheries expertise. Why was the workshop held? Quite simply, to give effect to Bangladesh's vision of fisheries development and management, set forth in its Perspective Development Plan for 1995-2010.

The impact of information techniques in all economic activities has been tremendous during the past decade. However, the potential of the multiple management methods and technologies derived from this field has not been fully realized in the irrigation sector. One area of application of information techniques concern the design and installation of Decision Support Systems (DSS). This area, used for the particular activities relating to the management of water in irrigation schemes, constitutes the theoretical background of this paper

This paper reports on a detailed sociological study carried out as the NGO (or change agent) was completing three-year projects in two sites, Nagadeepa and Pimburettewa. The study describes the change agent's strategy, and analyzes its impact and the perceptions of farmers and government officials regarding its impact. The case study is placed in a wider context, in terms of both the participatory management policy of the Government of Sri Lanka, and the lessons learned that are relevant for NGOs working in other countries as well.