Abstract
The study focused on 23 sites representing traditional rubber growing areas of Kegalle, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Colombo districts in Sri Lanka. Methodology employed in the study was mainly participatory in nature with 1828 farmers. Questions to test awareness were categorized under recommendations in (a) agronomic practices, (b) tapping-related activities and (c) processing aspects of sheet rubber. The questions were displayed to farmers and they were given a chance to select the answer and vote for it. Awareness score was devised by calculating the % of correct answers for each question. Cluster analysis was employed to categorize different locations. Awareness on agronomic recommendations in different sites ranged from 28 % to 62 %. The overall awareness on tapping ranged from 34 % to 62 %. Awareness scores for processing of sheet rubber ranged from 16 % to 42 % and indicated poor awareness on processing among smallholder farmers. The study identified similar groups from sites in the districts based on awareness of recommendations under immature phase, tapping and processing activities. The paper suggests spatial priorities for technology transfer in the smallholder sector to improve adoption of recommendations.
Highlights
Rubber is traditionally grown in nine districts in the Western, Sambaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces in Sri Lanka (Anonymous, 2012), and found under estate and smallholder sectors
Awareness on agronomic recommendations in different study sites ranged from 28 % to 62 % with an average of 49 %
The overall awareness on agronomic operations and tapping-related activities were somewhat similar with 49 % and 50 %, respectively
Summary
Rubber is traditionally grown in nine districts in the Western, Sambaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces in Sri Lanka (Anonymous, 2012), and found under estate and smallholder sectors. Considerable attempts have been made to improve productivity in the smallholder sector, yet it is producing under 1500 kg/ha/year, which is well below the productivity values recorded in other producing countries. Improved clones are introduced to the farmers, poor adoption of recommended technologies has hindered attaining the potential yields of these clones. Inadequate knowledge of farmers on technologies has been identified in several studies as adversely affecting their adoption (Wijesuriya et al, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008). Efficient technology transfer is one of the best solutions to improve adoption of new technologies in the rubber sector (Dissanayake, 2009).
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