https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5092 2026-04-23T10:01:38Z 2026-04-23T10:01:38Z Gunasekara, HSW Samaraweera, GC Jayasundara, G https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5177 2023-04-26T11:48:01Z 2021-12-20T00:00:00Z

Factors Affecting on Shifting from Current Cultivation to Hot Pepper Cultivation along with Contract Farming Practices: A Case Study in Minuwangoda, Sri Lanka Gunasekara, HSW; Samaraweera, GC; Jayasundara, G Even though Capsicum Chinese (Hot Pepper) has been recognized as a profitable crop for contract farming in all over the world, Sri Lanka has not yet recognized its economic value and this sector remains unexplored yet. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the factors affecting the shifting from current cultivation to Hot Pepper cultivation. This research survey study was carried out using a pre-tested questionnaire for 70 vegetable farmers in Minuwangoda. The sample was selected using simple random sampling method. Collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of this study revealed that market potential and agro climatic compatibility are the main factors that impact on farmers’ preference on Hot Pepper cultivation on contract basis. Furthermore, the present study revealed that price, quality, timeliness, quantity, proximity and credibility of seed source and crop performance affect while purchasing the seeds from the company in contract farming. Moreover, a fixed price, market assurance, profit, quality standards, transportation and legal framework are requirements demanded by the farmers. According to the findings, the study provides significant insights to plan a sustainable contract farming system for Hot Pepper cultivation with suitable policy initiatives. Key recommendations of this research study include, providing extension services, remedies for diseases, free trials, proper responses to farmer inquiries and flexible agreements, which are required to enhance and sustain Hot Pepper cultivation along with contract farming system.

2021-12-20T00:00:00Z Wijayawardhana, WMPM Siriwardhane, DRJ https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5176 2023-04-26T11:04:27Z 2021-12-20T00:00:00Z

Economic Sensitivity of Non-Working Females for Wage Differential Compensation: Empirical Evidence from Sri Lanka Wijayawardhana, WMPM; Siriwardhane, DRJ The pathway towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth can be built by women empowerment. This study addresses the problem of inadequate female labour force participation in South Asia. As such, following a mixed methodological approach, both the qualitative and quantitative analyses were triangulated to achieve the objective of the study. Women’s Wage Compensation Sensitivity Index (WWCSI) is constructed as the ultimate output of the quantitative analysis using a sample of 112 respondents (non-working females) from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The findings of that analysis suggested that compensating wage differentials can economically empower non-working females in South Asia. However, wage differential compensation is likely to be more productive among rural females and then among urban females, and it will be more successful among less educated females. According to the newly recognized backward bending nature of WWCS curve, wage differential compensation should be offered for females in prime working age (25-45 years) instead of mothers with infants or elder children. Further, governments should come up with temporary subsidization programmes especially for urban females in order to turn housewives into own account worker because the interest of females to earn at home is high. The follow-up qualitative analysis involved an in-depth inquiry on empirical evidence of wage differential compensation sensitivity of non-working females through a case study in Sri Lanka. Therein, motherhood and children’s age, co-habitation of grandparents, male supremacy in traditionally patriarchal families, intergenerational education and learning, voluntary child labour, human trafficking for women labour exploitation and growth needs and domestic financial requirements were explored as the determinants of women’s wage differential compensation sensitivity.

2021-12-20T00:00:00Z Suraweera, T Thelijjagoda, S Jayathilaka, R Wickramaarachchi, C https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5164 2023-04-26T11:09:44Z 2021-12-20T00:00:00Z

An Operational Model of Managing Vocational Training for Persons with Visual Impairment and Blindness Suraweera, T; Thelijjagoda, S; Jayathilaka, R; Wickramaarachchi, C Vocational training is a key means of strengthening employability of all including those with visual impairment and blindness. Although Sri Lanka too invests significantly on providing vocational training for people with disabilities there is a serious gap in finding productive employment for persons with visual impairment and blindness. This research is aimed at developing and validating a plausible model for strengthening the vocational training provision to visually impaired and blind community in Sri Lanka. Using case study method, three purposely selected leading vocational training centres representing the main forms in existence were examined to analyse their strengths and weaknesses, and the challenges encountered by the trained persons in finding jobs. A model aiming at strengthening the management, efficiency and overall quality of vocational training provision was developed first. This was revived by a number of management experts and stakeholders, both local and international, to arrive at the final model. This model portrays the key determinants and associated processes that could be adopted by the centres for making necessary improvements. Furthermore, an integrated approach linking the government, training centres and the industry responsible for providing employment is incorporated into the model implementation process. The proposed model would broaden the perspectives of policymakers, governmental institutions, and respective stakeholders aiming to empower persons with visual impairment and blindness.

2021-12-20T00:00:00Z Wijerathna, PNMM Samaraweera, GC https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5162 2023-04-26T10:59:43Z 2021-12-20T00:00:00Z

Replanting Tea Lands of Smallholding Sector in Sri Lanka: A Case Study in Galle District Wijerathna, PNMM; Samaraweera, GC Replanting and also rehabilitation of tea determine both the productivity and sustainability of the tea industry. To achieve the accepted norm of increasing annual replanting rate up to 2%, replantation should be performed in existing old tea lands. However, considering the farmers’ perspective, most of them are reluctant to replace their old tea lands with new tea plantations. Therefore, this research study was carried out with the main intention of analyzing the factors behind the lesser interest of farmers in replanting old tea lands in Galle district. The cluster sampling method was used and all tea smallholders in Galle district were divided into small clusters according to the GN divisions. Hiniduma west GN division was selected as the proposed cluster where the highest number of small holders presented and the sample size was 30. According to the results, the highest productivity in the sample was 2666kg/ha/yr. It was revealed that the main reasons why farmers pay less interest in replanting were the absence of any other income source during the replanting period(36%), gap of a long period for new harvesting (21%), high labour cost and labour scarcity (21%), limitations in subsidy procedure and difficulties in obtaining subsidies (5%), and difficulties in finding quality planting materials (5%). Therefore, this study recommends to introduce some extra income sources such as self-employments, livestock and home gardening to ensure a source of income for tea smallholders during replanting period. Moreover, present study recommends regulating the existing procedure of giving subsidies and implementing projects to supply and disseminate quality planting materials among tea smallholders.

2021-12-20T00:00:00Z