Challenges and constraints for seed paddy farmers: a case study of the Ampara district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The study investigated the problems faced by seed paddy farmers. The survey was conducted by taking a total of 120 seed paddy producing farmers between September 2020 to December 2020 at Akkaraipattu, Addalaichenai and Alayadivembu Divisional Secretariats (DS) areas in Ampara district. Respondent were selected based on the stratified sampling technique and randomly interviewed directly by preparing a semi-structured questionnaire. The results indicated that more than half of the seed paddy farmers faced labour shortage during the harvest (53.4%) where as 48.3% of them affected by the lack of seed paddy for their cultivation. The cost for controlling the weed, pest and diseases was higher compared to other activities (40%) whare as 70% of the seed paddy farmers were facing difficulties to get cleaned seed while only 5% of their lost the seed germination due to combine harvester. We concluded that the major problems faced by the seed paddy farmers were labour shortage, cultivation, management practices and harvesting problems. Therefore, this study suggests that most of the youngsters and educators should be motivated and trained about the seed paddy farming through extension services. Further, seed agencies should expand their distribution networks to ensure that quality seed is available to farmers quickly and easily in this surveyed area.