Browsing by Author "NANAYAKKARA, N.N.P.G.H.S."

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    INFLUENCE SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS ON PRESENT FERTILIZER USAGE BY RICE FARMERS IN SRI LANKA
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2017) NANAYAKKARA, N.N.P.G.H.S.
    As a result of green revolution, agriculture industry has leaned more towards application of chemicals, including inorganic fertilizers to increase the production. Paddy, the staple food cultivated in Sri Lanka, mainly depends on three main chemical fertilizers, i.e.; Urea, Muriate of Potash (MOP) and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP). One of the major provinces that cultivates paddy, the North Central Province is pulsated byseveral socio- economic factors. The study has explored the socio-economic factors affecting on present fertilizer usage in paddy cultivation in North Central Province. For this purpose, a sample of 100 farmers was selected based on multi stage sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression model and according to the results family size, years of education, land extent, average house hold income, and fertilizer subsidy and perception level on fertilizer usage affect on over usage of paddy fertilizers. Factors such as family size, years of education, paddy income, average house hold income and perception level on fertilizer usage were significantly affecting on under usage of paddy fertilizers. According to descriptive analysis, more than 50% of the farmers were overusing TSP and Urea; nevertheless, MOP over usage percentage is only 42%. In practical situations, there are some impacts on paddy harvest by over usage of the TSP and Urea. Most of the farmers are commercial level farmers who want to enhance their profit in paddy cultivation. Hence, they over use fertilizer than the recommended level. The study suggests that there should be awareness programs for farmers in the areas on fertilizer usage and health and environmental impacts of fertilizer over usage, which might be helpful for them to reach the recommended level of fertilizers and thereby become more sustainable in terms of both cost and environment. Keywords: North Central Province, paddy, fertilizer usage