Browsing by Author "Bandara, Layantha"

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    Determination of Factors Affecting Pesticide Use Decision of Vegetable Farmers in Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela and Welimada Area
    (Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka, 2011) Thennakoon, T.M.D.M.; Mahindarathne, M.G.P.P.; Bandara, Layantha
    Sri Lanka has an area of 6.4 million hectares in which the agricultural area comprising 2.3 million hectares, out of which 20% is located in the up country wet zone of Sri Lanka. Over 64% of the population of the area is engaged in agriculture. Potato and exotic vegetables are the predominant crops grown in this part of the country throughout the year. The agricultural practice in the upcountry area of Sri Lanka is intensive and highly commercialized (Wijewardena, 2010). Hence, up country vegetable farmers use large amounts of pesticides to control the pests on their vegetable crops and to maximize output on limited acres of land (Sivayoganathan et al., 1995). Pesticides play a significant role in the modern agriculture due to easiness of application and quick results. As a result, demand for pesticide has also increased. Similarly, number of agrochemical companies involves in marketing and distributing of pesticides and the companies follow several product promotion techniques to stimulate farmers to buy their pesticides. But, agrochemical companies have inadequate knowledge about the factors affecting the pesticide use decision of the farmers. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting pesticide use decision of farmers. Knowledge on farmer's pesticide use decision is very important for the companies to select most appropriate promotion methods to stimulate the pesticide use decision.
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    Study on Factors Affecting the Farmers’ Decision to Practice Proper Safety Measures in Agro Chemical Applications
    (Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka, 2011) Indigahawela, H.I.S.W.; Mahindarathne, M.G.P.P.; Bandara, Layantha
    Food safety has become an important issue in the world today. There is a direct link between the inputs used in agriculture and the quality of food and safety aspects of food. Due to intensification of agriculture, farmers have no option but to use chemicals in controlling pest and diseases in agriculture Those chemical substances are called agrochemicals. Further, pesticides play a significant role by making agriculture safe from many dreadful pests (Abhilash and Singh, 2009). Globally, about 4.4 to 6.6 billion pounds (2 to 3 billion kilograms) of pesticides are being used every year, at a total cost of about $20 billion (Badruddin, 2010). During the past 50 years, the use of agro-chemicals in Sri Lanka has increased 30 times (Amarakoon, 2004). Farm workers and their families are exposed to pesticides through multiple pathways (Strong et al. 2008). Poisoning is a major health concern in Sri Lanka, where there is a very high morbidity and mortality from pesticide poisoning (Fernando, 2002). Further, pesticides and other agrochemicals have made some adverse effects on environment including, pollution of water, soil, destroying the beneficial organisms and air pollution. Accordingly, number of detrimental effects occurr due to the misuse of agrochemicals by the users and due to the lack of scientific knowledge about the agrochemicals and correct usage. Therefore, this research study was undertaken to identify the major factors which influence the farmers to make use of safety measures in agrochemical applications.