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Wijekoon, Rusitha
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Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Library & Information Science

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The Most Frequent Agronomic Practices Used by the Coconut Farmers in the “Coconut Triangle” of Sri Lanka Legrand, Baptiste; Perraut, Angélique; Herath, Chaminda; Wijekoon, Rusitha; Perera, Lalith
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 34 No 2 (2018): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (268.772 KB) | DOI: 10.37833/cord.v34i2.18

Abstract

The study was carried out to identify the most frequently practiced cultural practices by coconut growers in the main coconut growing area termed as “Coconut Triangle”, among a set of technical practices recommended by the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka (CRISL). The objective was also to analyse the impact of these practices to the yield and to analyse the effects of the information sources to the growers to enhance the farmers skills. The study was carried out between June 2018 and August 2018. For the data collection, a questionnaire developed by CRISL was used and 62 growers were randomly selected. All the answers were gathered in a table file. Then, the data were analysed using tabular analysis and the software SPSS. The study reveals that most of the growers are having intercrops between the coconut trees, in large or very small scale even if the yield is lowand needs more space. For the soil moisture conservation around the coconut palm, the majority of the growers use the simple and low-cost technique; mulching around the coconut palms. However, 30.1% of the growers were found to not use any technique to improve the soil moisture even when the drought is a frequent event in the country, but this more valid for small scale growers. To improve their yield, majority of the growers preferred and used CRISL recommended coconut fertilizer mixture (Adult Palm Mixture or APM) over the other commercially available fertilizer mixtures. Finally, the study shows that farmers with large estates are the most involved to follow training programs and apply the advices given by the CRISL.
Factors Influencing Coconut Growers’ Decision-Making Process in Fertilizer Application through the Lens of Theory of Planned Behavior and Self-Determination Theory Herath, C. S.; Wijekoon, Rusitha
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 40 (2024): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.37833/cord.v40i.446

Abstract

The small-scale, poor, rural coconut growers in Sri Lanka are generally characterized by low productivity. The low yield of coconuts is primarily attributed to the improper application of fertilizers. The decision to apply fertilizer is mainly depends on the growers’ change in behaviour, in turn, influenced by the growers’ salient beliefs. Assessing the beliefs plays a significant role in understanding why farmers behave differently in making decisions regarding fertilizer application. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Theory of Self Determination (TSD) were employed to find a more realistic solution to the above research problem. Hence, the current research was carried out to observe the relationship between the beliefs of the coconut growers and their behaviour with respect to fertilizer application in coconut fields. Results of the study reveal that perceived behavioural control was the highest contributor to developing the intention followed by the attitude. Further, there is no influence from the social pressure for the intention development. Moreover, intrinsic motivation predicts the fertilizer application behaviour from intention in stronger strength than that of extrinsic motivation. Therefore, it can be concluded that motivation influences the intention-behavioural relationship. Consequently, it gives evidence for policymakers to introduce policy guidelines in order to enhance the use of fertilizer efficiently and effectively. And, motivation does have a moderating effect on coconut growers’ fertilizer application behaviour.
Co-Authors Herath, C. S. Herath, Chaminda Legrand, Baptiste Perera, Lalith Perraut, Angélique