Browsing by Author "Thalagoda, U."

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    Development of a Flavored Herbal Tea using Broken Mixed Fannings and Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Leaves
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Athapattu, A.M.D.T.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Bandara, S.M.I.P.G.; Thalagoda, U.
    Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is the second most widely consumed popular non-alcoholic beverage in the world for centuries due to its sensory attributes and health promoting effects. Herbal drinks gain more popularity in recent years due to its associated health benefits. The study was carried out to add value to the tea grade of Broken Mixed Fannings (BMF) by developing a flavored herbal tea by incorporating Moringa oleifera leaves which contains various health benefits. Moringa oleifera leaf powder was prepared. Five treatments were tested incorporating various quantities of Moringa leaf powder and BMF to make final quantity of 2.0 g of herbal tea blend for a tea bag. A sensory evaluation was conducted using ten experienced tea tasters to find out the best combination of Moringa oleifera leaf powder and Broken Mixed Fannings ratio for herbal tea development. Color, aroma, taste, mouth feel and overall acceptability were evaluated as sensory characteristics based on a five-point hedonic scale. Tea is flavored by using lemon flavor. The data was statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Conover-Inman method. 0.8 g of Moringa leaf powder and 1.2 g of BMF incorporated combination was selected as the best treatment for the herbal tea development among the five different treatments tested. Total polyphenol content and total antioxidant content of the newly developed product were 0.05 % (g/ml) and 0.19 % (g/ml) respectively as a percentage of the extract. The findings of the microbial studies showed that the newly developed herbal tea blend is safe for the consumption and the physico-chemical analysis revealed that pH and the moisture content of the new product were fulfilled the required standards.
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    Identification of Factors Affecting Farmers’ Satisfaction with Tea Extension Services in Yatinuwara Divisional Secretariat Division in Kandy District
    (Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka, 2011) Perera, M.G.A.; Dharmadasa, R.A.P.I.S.; Thalagoda, U.
    Agricultural extension is a specialized system of extension education relating to farmers. We have to effectively handle the information so as to attain our goal of achieving 3 Ps i.e., productivity, profitability and prosperity. In developing countries, it is not the lack of technologies which is a major setback, but the rate of transfer of technologies from the point of generation to the actual users. Thus, there is a vast gap between the knowledge generated and knowledge utilized. Further, it is not only the transfer of technology that alone modernized agriculture, but the adoption of technology and innovation which is equally important. As the result of knowledge gap and adoption gap, there exists considerable amount of yield gap. Many farmers are not able to realize the full potential. To obviate this, the farmers should be educated and technology should be taught to them. At present tea smallholders sector is the main producer of tea in Sri Lanka. It produces approximately 74 per cent of the total tea (TSHDA, 2007). Many extension programs were implemented at different periods by Tea Small Holders Development Authority (TSHDA) but certain limitations still exist in the tea small holding sector. The existing advisory services and extension services among small holders are inadequate. There is no opportunity to express any of their problems and to obtain advice or discuss with a responsible person. Through extension services they are providing knowledge, technology as well as some other facilities. Although they are providing those things they do not know in which extent farmers satisfied with their services. The effectiveness as well the farmers adoptions mainly depend on their overall satisfaction with the extension services. Therefore, identification of factors affecting for farmers' satisfaction with extension service is important to increase the effectiveness of the extension services.
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    Impact of Extension Service of CIC Agribusiness on Promoting CIC Tea Fertilizer Usage
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2012) Roshanth, V.; Mahindarathne, P.; Thalagoda, U.
    Tea is a major Agricultural income source to Sri Lankan economy. Sri Lankan Tea (better known as Ceylon Tea) is world famous for its unique quality, even though our supply is not enough to compete in the market. One of the main reasons for the low production of tea is the poor soil fertility levels in our Tea lands. So, proper fertilizer application helps to maintain the productivity of the tea lands. Objective of the study is to identify the impact of Extension Service on Tea Fertilizer market of CIC Agribusiness with reference to Tea Small Holder Sector Data was collected through a standard Questionnaire with interview method. Data was analyzed with Minitab 14 and Stata Software. Finally problems were identified to this fluctuation. Income and the decision making factors were identified as significant factors for extension beneficiaries. Both factors are positively related to the amount of fertilizer applied. Farmers with a better income have applied more fertilizer to their fields. And farmers who take their own decision on fertilizer application use more CIC fertilizer. Income is the only significant factor which is positively related to the amount of fertilizer applied for non beneficiaries. Proper fertilizer application is vital for the land productivity of tea. Therefore application of the recommended dosage of fertilizer is very important.
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    Impact of Socio-economic Status of Tea Smallholders on the Production of Tea Lands in Passara Tea Inspector (TI) Range
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Yapa, Y.M.S.K.B.; Premathilake, K.G.; Dharmadasa, R.A.P.I.S.; Thalagoda, U.
    Contribution of smallholders to the Sri Lankan tea sector is higher than the plantation sector. Knowing the socio-economic status helps find the strategies for improving smallholder's living conditions and their production. This study was undertaken to assess the impact of socio-economic status of tea small holders in the Passara tea inspector range on the production of their tea lands and also to identify the constraints faced by them in socio-economic upliftment. Data were collected from randomly selected 150 smallholders who are registered in five smallholding development societies out of 15 societies in Passara area by using a structured questionnaire through a face to face interview. Descriptive statistics and regression techniques were used to analyze the data. Simple linear regression results revealed that gender, education level, farming experience of the smallholder, monthly fertilizer cost and farm size positively affect the production while marital status of the smallholder negatively affect the production. Major constraints faced by the smallholders are poor infrastructure facilities, high cost for children's education, high cost of field operations, and pest and disease attack on tea cultivation. Proper extension services and field training programmes are suggested to offer them to gain their knowledge and experience on proper field practices. Continuously providing sufficient amount of fertilizer allowance and supplying of credit facilities are also needed. Infrastructure facilities should be developed in the Passara area. Various social organizations and societies should come forward to improve the socio-economic status of the small scale tea growers.