Browsing by Author "Sajitha, A. H."

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    Seashell processing: An emerging industry in Kinniya divisional secretariat division of Trincomalee district
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2015) Sajitha, A. H.; Geretharan, T.
    The seashell processing industry functions by grinding the seashells for production of lime for building construction purposes and for making poultry feed (Fisheries Year Book, 2007).The low income people in the Kinniya Divisional Secretariat (DS) division collect seashells to earn money for their daily living. The people who are engaged in this industry earn sufficient income (Sunday Observer, 2012). Seashell deposits are available in Kakkamunai village of Kinniya DS division, which is located closer to the mouth of Thampalagamam Bay, which is enriched with bivalves. Shell mining has taken place for last three decades in a sustainable manner. There is a high demand for shells from the poultry feed industry, thus generating a good income from this activity (Minerals Year Book, 2007). In this context a survey was carried out to study this emerging industry in Kinniya DS division of Trincomalee district. Methodology This study was carried out during the months of April and May, 2014 in ten villages in Kinniya DS division. Using random sampling procedure, a total of 90 seashell processors were selected, which includes collectors, grinders, transporters, loaders and mill owners and a structured interview schedule was used to collect the information through personal interview at their home and seashell processing mills. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS package. Result and Discussion Personal and socio-economic characteristics of seashell processors in Kinniya DS division of Trincomalee district revealed that all the seashell processors (100%) were males. Young age and middle age categories were same (40%). 80% were under primary level of education. Majority (68.9%) of the respondents depended mainly on seashell industry. More than half (54.5%) of seashell processors belonged to medium income group of Rs.20, 000 to Rs. 40,000 per month. Majority of respondents (87.8%) were part time workers. Majority (85.6%) of respondents had 5 to 10 years experience in seashell processing. Only 11.1% respondents had organizational membership; because the mill owners only had the membership with social organizations. The seashell processors have not participated in any extension activity related to seashell processing. All the respondents (100%) indicated that seashell collection was the most difficult work in seashell processing. Among the people who involved in seashell collection, most of them obtained medium income of Rs.1000 - Rs.1500 per day. Most of people who involved in seashell grinding obtained high income (Rs. 420 per bag) from seashell grinding per day. Majority (91.1%) of the respondents involved in seashell industry were rural people. All the respondents (100%) were in the view that the overall business condition of the industry is good. All (100%) of respondents reported that the ground seashell bags were marketed directly to the consumers. The demand for ground seashells is high in Kurunagale district. Kandy, Matala, Puttalam, Kalutara, Colombo, Avissawella and Galle are the other places getting ground seashells from Kinniya mills.