Browsing by Author "Mahindarathna, M.G.P.P."

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    Analysis of Diversification Strategies Adopted by Tea Plantations
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2012) Madhusankha, B.P.; Mahindarathna, M.G.P.P.
    Sri Lankan plantation crop industry mainly consists of Tea, Rubber and Coconut while tea plays a dominant role in Sri Lankan economy being the plantation crop with extent of 80,185 ha. Plantation crop industries have been listed under 23 Regional Plantation Companies. In a new competitive era, organizations try to improve its performance by applying different strategies namely crop diversification strategies and non-crop diversification strategies. Crop diversification strategies would be diversification out of core crop strategies while non crop diversification seems to be focused on core crop to utilize under - utilized resources to gain maximum efficiency out of them or diversification with non-related business activities (Daud et al, 2009). Ultimately, these strategies are applying to boost the performance and stay competitive in the market. But the question here is whether these crop diversification strategies and operations are really improves the company performance. If yes what will be the optimal level which will maximize the performance of the company? Hence, the main objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the diversification strategies adopted by Kahawatte Plantations PLC in different perspectives. Other objectives include identification of the impact and relationship of diversification strategies on the performance of the listed diversified estates comes under Kahawatte Plantations Company and determination of the optimum level of crop diversification which maximizes performance of listed diversified estates of Kahawatte Plantations Company.
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    Factors Affecting Tourists’ Willingness Towards Agro-Tourism
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Nishshanka, N.P.C.S.; Mahindarathna, M.G.P.P.; Kahandage, K.P.M.
    Agro-tourism is an emerging and very prospective sub-sector of tourism which is still the infant stage in Sri Lanka. Agro-tourism is an important alternative source of income for rural dwellers including small-scale farmers in many countries of the developing world. There should be basic facilities to start and operate an agro tourism destination and hence, it has an ability to generate benefits for the owner and the surrounding community. To develop the agro tourism sector of the country, it is important to carry out research studies to generate a comprehensive understanding. The objectives of this study are to find consumer willingness towards Agro tourism in Sri Lanka and to identify potential agro tourists, identify their attitudes and preferences. To accomplish the objectives of the study, a semi- structured questionnaire was prepared and direct interviews were conducted with both local and foreign tourists who visited tourism destinations in Ella, Sigiriya and Anuradhapura. In the survey, 100 local tourists and 150 foreign tourists were selected using convenient sampling method. Chi-squared analysis was used to find the factors that affect the willingness of tourists on agro-tourism. While 19 factors were analyzed by chisquared test, results showed that 13 factors influenced on the willingness of foreign tourists on agro-tourism. Furthermore, only occupation, education, tourists’ expectation, days which are preferred to stay in a farm and facilities significantly affect the willingness of local tourists on agro-tourism.
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    Satisfaction of Low Country vegetable farmers about the agricultural extension service in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2015) Gunasekara, L.K.C.K.; Mahindarathna, M.G.P.P.; Bandara, L.
    In Sri Lanka public sector organizations are the major party of extension delivery. The agricultural extension service in Sri Lanka was a greater service offering to all type of the farmers equally, irrespective of scale of farming. This service was started with the establishment of Department of Agriculture (DOA). The service was given by the DOA, agricultural research institutions and other agricultural related institutions in the state sector as public commodity. But this has reached to the critical stage. Large sum of public funds need to maintain and conduct the service. Due to the shortage of funds, government has to continue this service under big pressure. In this situation, due to lack of efficiency, effectiveness and not devoting sufficiently to the agriculture development of country government extension services are criticized as wasting public money (Mahaliyanarachchi, 2002) This study was completed to find the satisfaction of low- country vegetable farmers on agriculture extension service in Sri Lanka. Objectives of the study were to determine satisfaction of farmers about the extension services, investigate factors which affect the satisfaction of farmers and find out extension needs of low- country vegetable farmers. Materials and methodology This study was conducted in Anuradhapura and Monaragala districts where high productions of low- country vegetables are taken place throughout the year. Sample size was 200 farmers. Data were gathered using semi structured questionnaire. Semi- structured questionnaire was consisted to sought information on demographic characteristics of farmer (age, gender, education level, marital status etc.), information related farm (land extent, type of labour etc), information related to the extension service (frequency of the visit by the extension agent, methods of extension, teaching skills of the agent, communication skills of the agent and satisfaction of the farmers etc.) Independent variables which were used to test hypotheses were subjected to judge by the respondents. The statement on a 5 point Likert scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Undecided (U), Disagree (D) Strongly Disagree (SA) and scores of 5, 4,3,2,1 were assigned to the corresponding responses for positive statement and the reversed scores for the negative statements. Using the minimum score of (1) and maximum score of (5): Dependent variable was Satisfaction of farmers: Satisfaction is the dependent variable which was inquired from the respondents directly. Farmers were asked to mention overall satisfaction about extension service. (1) Satisfied (2) Not Satisfied. Data collection was done by the researcher. Personal interview was used to collect data according to the semi structured questionnaire. Sampled farmers of two districts were interviewed through field survey. Collected data were arranged, coded and analyzed through the use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyze the data.Descriptive statistical tools used were frequency counts, percentages and mean.Inferential statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses of the study.Chi-squire test was used to measure the significant relationship between independent variables in the model and dependent variable in the model. Logistic Regression Analysis used to test amount of variability of the dependent variables that could be explained by the independent variables. The regression coefficients identified and estimated how variable input included in the model best explained the variability on output.