Awareness of Tea Small Holders on Climate Change: A Case of Tea Small Holders in Badulla District
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Climate change has emerged as one of the most devastating environmental threats. Impacts of
climate change on human and natural systems are predicted to be severe. According to the Sri
Lanka Country Report on Climate Change (Year), increase of temperature by 2070 will be 0.4
to 3 C. Rainfall increase, as precipitation, is expected by 10% in the wet zone for both dry and
wet seasons. The possibility of 10% increase in length of the dry and wet spells in main
plantation areas has also been indicated (Wijeratne, 1996). Since tea is primarily a rain-fed crop
tea production will be particularly affected unless early efforts are made to help farmers adapt.
There is an urgent need to sensitize the farmers regarding climate change and its effects and
causes. They need to be supported to increase their resilience to the changing conditions
(Pandve, 2007). Adaptation is largely dependent on the availability of information relevant to
climate change (Semenza, Ploubidis & George, 2011). Awareness of climate change help tea
smallholders plan their production activities and reduce risks and uncertainties associated with
farming (Banmeke & Ayanda, 2011). Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the
awareness and perception of tea smallholders on climate change.
Methodology
Hundred and fifty tea small holders were selected from Badulla district by using simple random
sampling technique. A structured questionnaire and direct interview method were used to collect
data. The questionnaire was pretested using 10 small holders. Identified social factors were age,
gender, marital status, religion, farming experience, and education level.
Awareness of climate change was achieved through main three criteria namely, awareness that
climate change is happening, awareness of the causes of climate change, and awareness of the
effects of climate change. These three kinds of awareness were ascertained by using a four point
scales, unaware, slightly aware, moderately aware, and full aware. Perception on respondent’s
awareness on climate change issues, adaptation methods and sources of information was
identified. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferential statistically by using statistical
package for the social science (SPSS). General characteristics of the sample were analyzed
using descriptive statistics. Chi square test was used to examine the association between socio
economic variables and awareness on climate change (happening), awareness of the causes of
climate change, and awareness of the effects of climate change.
Description
Keywords
Agriculture, Export Agriculture, Tea Industrials, Tea Technology, Climate Change