Browsing by Author "Malkanthi, S.H.P."

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    Attitude of Government Agricultural Officers towards Organic Agriculture in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Malkanthi, S.H.P.; Kumari, W.N.S.
    Organic agriculture is a method of farming, which leads to the sustainable agriculture. Before educating farmers on organic agriculture, relevant government agricultural officers should have better knowledge and positive attitude towards it. The main objectives of this study were to study the level of knowledge of agricultural officers on organic agriculture and their attitude towards it. A sample of 120 agriculture officials was randomly selected from Badulla and Ratnapura districts for the study. A field survey was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire to gather information from the sample, during the period of April 2017 to May 2018. A few descriptive statistical methods and Chisquare test were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that, majority of the agricultural officers are male, educated up to GCE advance level and have certain level of experience on organic agriculture. While, most of them (81.6%) have a general level of knowledge about organic agriculture, a few of them (29.2%) have a better knowledge on it. According to the mean analysis, most of the officers have a positive attitude towards organic agriculture depending on five important factors viz. existing knowledge on organic farming ( 𝑥=3.83), environment protecting (𝑥=4.16), health enhancing (𝑥=4.33), marketing potentials (𝑥=3.59) and social enhancing (𝑥=4.30). According to Chi-square test, there was no association between demographic factors and the attitude of the agricultural officers. However, they have lack of awareness on organic agricultural policies. But, promotion of organic agriculture mainly depends upon the knowledge and skills of agricultural officers. Therefore, motivating them to acquire more knowledge and education on organic agriculture is timely important to establish a sustainable organic agricultural systems in the country.
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    Entrepreneurial Skills of Vegetable Farmers on Farming Performances in Polgahawela Divisional Secretariat Division in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Dulanjani, K.R.M.; Malkanthi, S.H.P.
    Agriculture is a dominant field in Sri Lanka as the vegetable cultivation is a major part of it. This study was conducted to find out the relationship between entrepreneurial skills and the farmers‟ performance which are measured by productivity and financial performance. This is a quantitative research and accordingly, deductive approach has been applied in the study. A survey method was employed. Researchers administered questionnaire was used in the data collection process from 7th September 2020 to 20th September 2020. Simple random sampling was used as the sampling technique. Polgahawela DS division in Kurunegala district is the study area of this research. Vegetable farmers in Polgahawela DS division were selected as the target population and five Grama Niladari divisions (GN) were selected randomly from the study area. Hundred farmers who cultivate vegetable were selected and it consists of twenty (20) vegetable farmers from each GN division. SPSS statistical software was used to analyze the data and Reliability Analysis, Multiple Linear Regression Models including Diagnostic Tests were used as analytical techniques. Reliability Analysis represents the internal consistency of the likert scale items and Cronbach‟s Alpha was applied. Multiple regression models were applied to test the effect of entrepreneurial skills of farmers on farming performances and to test their individual and joint effect. Several diagnostic tests were applied to test the validity of the regression results and they are Heteroscedasticity, Multicollinearity, Normality and independent of the residuals. According to the results opportunity seeking, risk taking and decision making are highly significant and they are influencing positively on farmers‟ performance. Decision making ability is the most influencing factor. Secondly opportunity seeking and thirdly risk taking skill effect on farmer-performance. Innovation was individually insignificant and it influenced jointly with other factors on farmers‟ performances. Higher entrepreneurial skills give higher performances. Researchers suggested that authorities of agriculture in Sri Lanka should take necessary initiatives to improve and develop farmers‟ entrepreneurial skills to enhance the farmer-performance in Sri Lanka. Keywords: Agriculture; Entrepreneurial skills; Farmers; Performance; Sri Lanka
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    Present Organic Farming Policies and Future Needs: A Review Paper
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Malkanthi, S.H.P.; Kumari, W.N.S.
    Organic agriculture plays a very significant role in meeting the food production requirement and sustainable development in Sri Lanka. As a country with full of natural resources, Sri Lanka has a great potential to fulfill the considerable portion of evergrowing market demand for organic products in the world. Sri Lankan communities also have a strong natural inclination towards traditional agriculture. Thus, this research was conducted to study the problems of organic farming, existing policies on organic farming, policy gaps and suggest future policy needs and strategies. Research papers, journal articles, project reports and survey data were used to gather information and they were summarized under each objective. Results revealed that although most of the Sri Lankan farmers have background knowledge about traditional organic farming, by now only a small number of rural farmers practice it in small scales. Thus, as a whole, Sri Lanka is still in the initial stage with regard to organic farming. Also the expected outcomes of organic agriculture are different among the various stakeholders and no adequate solutions to address certain issues in the sector. Even though Sri Lankan government has formulated policies for agriculture, there is no proper policy framework for organic farming in the country and it is still in its initial phase. Thus, the necessary background including policies and programs for the development of modern organic farming in the country targeting the export market is at a poor state and encouragement from the government compared to many other countries is also at a lower level. Therefore, provisions of the institutional support required for organic agriculture in terms of providing scientific basis of organic practices are timely important.
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    Present Status of Rural Home Gardens and their Impacts on Rural Livelihoods: A Study on Balangoda DS Division
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Pinnagoda, S.U.; Malkanthi, S.H.P.
    This study was conducted to investigate the present situation of home gardening in the Balangoda DS division and study their impacts on rural livelihoods. A sample of 150 households was randomly selected from farmers' lists of five GN divisions and data were collected using a survey from July to September 2017. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results showed that most of the households are engaged in home gardening. In evaluating plant species available in home gardens, 18 species of vegetables and 17 species of fruits were found. Majority of the respondents are less likely to use chemical fertilizers and are preparing compost by themselves. They gain knowledge through their own experience. The two severe problems they face in home gardening are water scarcity and wild animal attacks. Furthermore except Imbulamura Grama Niladhari (GN) division, other four GN divisions are capable of fulfilling the minimum dietary requirement from the products of home gardens. In analyzing relationships, no relationship was found in between saving and the earnings from the home gardening. According to regression analysis, there is a negative relationship between purchased items from the market and farmers' time involvement in home gardening. Therefore, purchase items from the market to meet the minimum dietary requirement have reduced with increase in the time involvement in the home gardening. As per the mean analysis, majority of rural households have positive attitude towards home gardening and they are willing to develop it furthermore in future as it is highly contributing to enhance the nutrition intake of households. Proper plan for water supply in drought period and a plan to decrease the wild animal problem with the government support are the timely important factors to improve the home gardening in these areas. Keywords
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    Study on Farmers' Perception on Providing Cash Grant Instead of Fertilizer Subsidy in Paddy Cultivation: A Study in Badulla District
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Thennakoon, T. M. S.K.; Malkanthi, S.H.P.; Wijayathunga, A.B.M.
    This study was conducted to analyze farmers' perception on cash grant including socio-economic characteristics of cash grant receiving paddy farmers, effect of new policy on fertilizer usage and paddy yield. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of cash grant program were also evaluated. A field survey using a questionnaire was conducted to collect data from 120 cash grant receiving paddy farmers in Badulla district from August to October 2017. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one sample T-test and paired T-test. Result revealed that majority of the respondents are male, married, educated up to OIL, and their main occupation is farming. Further, respondents have positive attitude regarding five statements; "cash grant program is a chance to buy quality fertilizer", "easier than fertilizer subsidy", "low corruptions", "opportunity to move organic agriculture" and "cash grant is successful". However, they have negative attitude towards "cash is inadequate to buy required fertilizer" and "cash is not receiving at right time". Furthermore, there is a reduction in fertilizer usage and thus paddy yield during this period. In focusing SWOT of cash grant program, reduction of wastage and corruptions, support of farmer organizations and easiness of cash grant are strengths while farmers' negative attitude is a weakness. Also, promotion of organic agriculture and high environmental concern were recognized as opportunities for the cash grant and higher market price of fertilizer, delaying cash grant receiving time and tenant farmer conflicts are the existing threats. However, they have comparatively positive perception on cash grant program. In order to get maximum returns of cash grant program, payment of cash at right time is crucial. Also motivation of farmers towards organic agriculture through appropriate training programs will be highly important.
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    Supplier Relationship Quality of Raw Milk Procurement in Monaragala District with Reference to a Dairy Company
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Galappaththi, U.T.A.; Malkanthi, S.H.P.
    Dairy sector has a high potential to contribute for economy as a major subsector of livestock composed with Sri Lankan agriculture. Relationships among stakeholders in dairy supply chain are required to continue it effectively and raw milk procurement is the initial step. Relationship in between dairy farmer and processor (dairy processing company) which comprises of three aspects of satisfaction, trust and commitment crucially influences for the step. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess the quality of supplier relationship of raw milk procurement in Moneragala district, by analyzing determinants of quality of relationship, farmers’ attitude on the effectiveness of farmer societies managed by processor and constraints of the raw milk procurement. A field survey was conducted for data collection using pre-tested questionnaire from randomly selected 98 dairy farmers. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, linear regression and Garrett ranking method were used in data analysis. According to the result, farmer reliability & satisfaction on price, farmer orientation, management image, attitudes on locality, equity of the company, satisfaction about communication & services, using fixed price girds and long term expectation of the farmers were extracted as determinants. Farmer orientation was an imperative determinant. Dairy farmers believed that, even farmer societies are unable to offer farmers' requirements sufficiently to develop their dairy production, they are more beneficial and effective tool to empower livelihood. Furthermore, low farm gate price, high cost of the feed, lack of finance to purchase and maintain high yielding breeds and low attention due to small scale dairy farming were identified as the major constraints. Thus, processor should built and maintain higher quality of supplier relationship as a companion by helping the farmers to overcome their constraints.