Crop diversification leads to reduction of water scarcity problems and income inequality in irrigation systems. Irrigated areas have been witnessing a slow diversification from paddy to other field crops (OFC) during yala season. It is noted that other than descriptive comparison of the diversification potential in irrigation systems, no research effort has been made to compare agricultural economic variables. In this context, present study examines the determinants of crop diversification from paddy to OFC and explores income inequality in the Minipe major irrigation scheme. Data were collected from 90 farm-households selected from Stage I (head end-H) and IV (tail end-T) of the scheme using stratified random sampling method during April and May 2009. Comparative analysis and the binomial logit model were employed. The study revealed that OFCs have comparative advantage over paddy for the land that does not get adequate irrigation water for paddy cultivation in yala season. The logit analysis reveals that farmers in responding to crop diversification opportunities are constrained by the inactive farmer organization (FO), markets, and poor irrigation infrastructure. This analysis also showed that the probability of the diversification was determined by family labour, FOs' collective action including irrigation management and market arrangement. Gini coefficient (GC) estimations showed that there is relatively lower income inequity (GC 0.34) in Stage I compared to Stage IV (0.41). A significant proportion (27%) of total income was derived from non farm activities in stage IV, whereas it was only 10% in the case of stage I. The farmers in Stage IV are keen and prepared for crop diversification. Therefore, enhancement of FO capacity in water management and market-oriented production in the irrigation system is important.

Similar to many developing countries, pesticide related issues in Sri Lanka have become a major concern in the recent past. Many researches were conducted to evolve technical alternatives for eco-friendly agriculture, but very less emphasis was given to the knowledge and behaviour of the farmers. Having recognized the need, present study was conducted to assess the farmers' knowledge level on pest management practices and socioeconomic factors influencing the existing pest management practices. Ordered Probit model was used to analyze the data from 50 vegetable farmers who were randomly selected from Pampaimadu, Agricultural Instructor range in the Vavuniya district. Nearly 60% of the farmers had medium level of knowledge of plant protection practices. Only 6% of the farmers had good level of knowledge towards the recommended plant protection measures. Almost all the farmers depended on chemical pesticides for the management of pest and diseases but at 35% higher concentration than recommended level. Farming experience and social participation were positive and significantly contributed to farmers' knowledge on safe pesticide use. Education, income, age and family size of farmers had showed no relationship with the knowledge level of pest management. Increased social participation and, effective extension programmes are important to improve farmers' knowledge on proper use of pesticides and its effect on their health and environment.

ABSTRACT

Potato is an economically attractive crop, but it causes soil erosion in the hill country. Nuwara Eliya contributes about 27% of the national potato production and about 58% of the potato-cultivated land is prone to severe soil erosion. In spite of the seriousness of the soil erosion and the need for effective soil conservation practices, there is an absence of research on soil conservation practices and the level of adoption by potato cultivators. Therefore, the purpose of this research project was to find out the different soil conservation practices, level of adoption by potato farmers and influence of socioeconomic factors on farmers' decisions in the Nuwara Eliya district. Data were collected from a multistage stratified random sample of 50 potato farmers in five Agrarian Service Centers (ASC) in the Nuwara Eliya district during 2007. Judgmental scaling method was used to assess the different levels of soil conservation methods adopted by the potato farmers. Multinomial Logit model was used to determine the choice of soil conservation practices. Likertscaling method was used to assess the potato farmers' perception on adopting appropriate soil conservation methods. Results reveal that 30, 52 and 18% of the potato cultivators were practicing good, average and poor level of soil conservation practices respectively. Good level of soil conservation practices has increased the farmers'potato yield and income. The cost of cultivation inversely affected the soil conservation practices adopted by potato cultivators. The probability of adopting good level of soil conservation was affected positively and significantly by education and land size. About 60% of the potato farmers have a positive attitude towards the importance of improving soil conservation. Land ownership is a crucial factor for this. Appropriate training, extension and effective soil conservation subsidy are recommended to improve soil conservation for sustainable potato cultivation.

Conservation of turtle requires adequate scientific understanding of the status and dynamics of the population and consideration of the coastal communities' attitudes towards conservation of this species. Therefore, this paper explores the attitudes and knowledge of coastal communities towards the freshwater turtle and their views about conserving them in three coastal divisional secretariat divisions in Ampara district. A survey was conducted with 50 randomly selected coastal community villages in 2008. Logistic regression and Chi-square test were used to provide empirical insight of the research problem. Average age and education of the respondents were 39 and 9 years respectively. About 67% of them were below the poverty line of Rs.2,233.00 (Real total expenditure/ person/ month). About 69, 30 and 11% of the total respondents were poaching freshwater turtle for their own consumption, selling and hobby, respectively. In general, coastal communities had a low level of awareness and knowledge on the fresh water turtles. About 49 and 45% of the respondents have seen live fresh water turtles less frequently and believed their endangered nature, respectively. Age, education and interest on nature had positive and significant relationships with their willingness to support conservation of fresh water turtles. The coastal communities expressed their positive attitude towards participatory conservation of fresh water turtles. However, it was not their priority concern. Awareness program and community participation in the conservation efforts are needed to protect the valuable endemic fresh water turtles in the Eastern Sri Lanka.