Browsing by Author "Amarathunga, M.K.S.L.D."

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    The Effectiveness of Farmer Field School Approach for Dissemination of Technologies to Seed Potato Farmers in Badulla District
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Dilshan, U.S.G.; Amarathunga, M.K.S.L.D.; Amarakoon, A.M.C.; Somachandra, K.P.
    Although farmers in Badulla district can gain higher income by cultivating potato compared to other crops they have to face more challenges as the potato requires intensive and costly inputs for its cultivation in comparison with other field crops. Thus, the main objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the Farmer Field School (FFS) Approach as an agricultural innovation and dissemination platform for improving farmers‟ knowledge and adoption of appropriate cultural practices and thereby improving land productivity and profitability of the seed potato cultivation. The stratified purposive sampling technique was performed to select 40 seed potato farmers who participated for the FFS program (considered as FFS group) conducted in four AI ranges (Perahettiya, Halpe, Etampitiya, and Mirahawatta) in Badulla district and another 40 farmers who were not attended for the same program [considered as NFFS Group)] and living in same locations. A cross- sectional field survey administrating pretested structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were undertaken to collect primary data on socio-economic status, knowledge, adoption level, yield and cost of production, and farmers' attitude towards the FFS approach. A scoring system and 5 point Likert scales were developed to measure the above criteria and index. Descriptive analysis, hypothesis testing, and Ordered Logistic Regression model were applied to measure variables and explain the relationship among the tested parameters using SPSS statistical package. The result show that there was a significant difference between FFS and NFFS seed potato growers on knowledge (t =11.64, p < 0.000) and adoption of agricultural practices (t =7.94, p < 0.000), productivity of land (t = 4.039, p < 0.00), and cost of production (t = -5.729, p < 0.000), and these findings reveal that FFS group are far advanced in reference parameters compared with NFFS group. Findings of the Ordered Logistic Regression model reveal that the model as a whole is fitted significantly (P < 0.05). R square of the model expresses that 26.75% proportion of the variance in adoption level significantly improved the recommended cultural practices as explained by seven independent variables (education, experience. and indexes of social participation, group dynamic, satisfaction, and sustainability). The findings of this study proved that FFS approach is as an agricultural innovation and dissemination platform for improving farmers‟ knowledge and changing their attitude on adoption of appropriate cultivation practices, and thereby improving land productivity and profitability, and living standard of self-seed potato farmers in Badulla district. Keywords: Badulla District; Effectiveness; Farmer Field School; Seed potato
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    Factors Affecting Land Productivity of Proprietary Tea Estates in Badulla District
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Aththanayake, A.M.M.B.; Amarathunga, M.K.S.L.D.; Mahindarathne, M.G.P.P.
    The tea industry of Sri Lanka has made a significant contribution to the country's socio-economic status since its‟ history. The sustainability of the tea industry in Sri Lanka is at a critical juncture since it faces many challenges like the rising cost of production, declining productivity, shortage of labor, and climate changes. Proprietary Tea Estates are considered middle-level tea estates that may have a range of tea land extent between 10 to 50 acres (4 to 20 ha). The total land extent of proprietary holdings accounts for 14710 ha of land which is represented 6.6% of the total tea land extent of Sri Lanka. The main objective of this study was to identify the factors that affect the land productivity of proprietary tea estates in the Badulla district and to propose strategies to optimize the land productivity for its long-term sustainability. A conceptual framework and research methodology were developed according to the information gathered from focus group discussions held with key experts attached to public institutions and few proprietary holdings in the Badulla District. A cross- sectional survey using a pretested structured questionnaire was held for the collection of primary data. The stratified purposive sampling method was performed to select 33 proprietary tea estates in four tea inspector's ranges in the Badulla District. Secondary data were gathered. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the socio-economic factors of the estates. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of independent variables on land productivity. 87.9% of the variance of land productivity was explained by the independent variables (P = 0.000, n = 33). The findings of this study concluded that although the proprietary tea estate owners were experienced with sound knowledge on recommended agricultural practices, the major constraints for improving land productivity of the estates are inadequate opportunities to access to formal extension services in order to get technical, input, and financial assistance on required time. Thus, this study would be useful for relevant authorities to implement strategies to optimize the land productivity of proprietary tea estates in the Badulla District. Keywords: Tea Industry, Proprietary Tea Estates, Land Productivity, Regression Analysis
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    Study on Factors Affecting Adoption of Control Measures for the COVID 19 Pandemic in Tea Plantation Sector in Badulla Distric
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Tennakoon, H.T.R.N.; Amarathunga, M.K.S.L.D.; Amarakoon, C.; Abeysooriya, A.
    Sri Lankan tea plantation sector is currently experiencing COVID -19 threats considerably. This will certainly create adverse outcomes in the health, social and economic settings in short, medium and longer terms in the tea plantation sector. To prevent any possible transmission of COVID -19 infections, stakeholders in the tea plantations are advised to adopt the guidelines at their workplaces. This study focuses on the factors affecting the adoption of control measures for the COVID -19 Pandemic in tea plantation sector in Badulla District. The study was conducted by selecting 20 tea estates using stratified sampling technique from Regional Plantation Companies in Badulla district. A Cross-sectional survey was conducted by administrating a semi-structured questionnaire together with focus group discussions to collect primary data from 72 individuals from management staff, operational staff and workers of the selected estates. Correlation and Multiple regression models were applied to measure the degree of variation and relationship among the tested parameters using STATA 16 software. Among the operational staff and workers in tea estates, the most prominent control measures were wearing face masks and keeping social distance during working time. Checking body temperature before entering to duty was hard to impliment for workers engaged in the field, and wearing gloves was made complications in the field and factory premises. Findings of this study confirm that the individual‟s complacency on probability of getting affected, severity of the negative outcomes of the disease, confidence on the social institutions and the information received were positively correlated with the degree of adoption for the control measures. It was also found that socio economic factors; gender, income, education, type of employer and the nature of work can affect on the degree of adoption to the control measures. Some constrains related to the working place such as inadequate of facilities, lack of time and inpracticablity of the control measures were identified. Findings of this study would be useful for relevant authorities to review the factors affecting on the adoption of control measures introduced against Covid 19 in the plantation sector and develop most effective strategic plans for controlling such pandamic situations in future. Keywords: Adoption, COVID -19, Confidence, Constrains, Pandemic
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    Unravelling the Impact of Coconut Production Declining in Sri Lanka on the Kernel- based Export Products and Coconut Oil
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Gamage, G.D.M.D.; Amarathunga, M.K.S.L.D.; Rathnayake, R.M.D.H.; Samarawickrama, S.
    Coconut is one of the most commercially important crops in Sri Lanka, and the country requires around 3,600 million nuts per year to function properly upon the current demand. However, the current volume of the nuts produced annually is only between 2,500 and 3,100 million nuts. The production data reveals that there is a shortage in nut production. The main objective of this study is to unravel the impact for declining the production of coconut in Sri Lanka on kernel-based export products and coconut oil (excluding export). This study utilized both primary data which was collected through a cross sectional survey conducted by interviewing 120 kernel-based exporters, palm oil importers, and dehydrated chips importing millers using three semi-structured questionnaires. Apart from that, secondary data which was gathered from the Coconut Development Authority. The ARIMA (2,1,1) model was used to predict whether coconut production in Sri Lanka would fluctuate between 2500-3000 in the next 5 years. According to the model, nut production will be 2,626, 2,833, 2,978, 2,850 and 2,761 million nuts, respectively. The Friedman test confirmed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) among the statements which were related to the sustainability of raw material supply and sustainability of final product supply of kernel-based products to export market. According to statistical analysis, production of the kernel-based export companies would be affected with the decrease of annual nut production. However, they would continue to export even when the annual nut production decreases because of their strong supplier base. It was also, found that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) among statements which were described the impact of dehydrated chips importation. The findings reveal that due to the influx of most of the existing coconuts switching into the milk industry, millers could not meet the demand for coconut oil as a result of the unavailability of the required raw material. According to the findings, importation of quality palm oil and dehydrated chips would mitigate the impact of declining nut production and help to meet the local oil demand as well as boost the industry. Keywords: Coconut; Decline; Impact; Production; Unravel