Managing Organic Agriculture: Case of Badulla and Ratnapura Districts in Sri Lanka

2020 ◽  
pp. 215-233
Author(s):  
S. H. Pushpa Malkanthi
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Organic Agriculture

Assessing the social and economic benefits of organic and fair trade tea production for small-scale farmers in Asia: a comparative case study of China and Sri Lanka

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhui Qiao ◽  
Niels Halberg ◽  
Saminathan Vaheesan ◽  
Steffanie Scott
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Fair Trade ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Organic Tea ◽  
Certified Organic ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

AbstractOrganic agriculture has the potential to provide improved livelihood opportunities, increased income and social benefits for resource-poor small-scale farmers. It has thus become a popular strategy for economic development and poverty reduction in many areas of the global south. However, there has been limited empirical research regarding the actual benefits of certified organic production, particularly when organic is combined with fair trade certification, and for small-scale farmers who are not engaged in coffee or banana production. Further research is needed to demonstrate experiences of farmers under diverse socioeconomic conditions, organizational contexts and degrees of market access. To address these gaps, two surveys of certified organic and fair trade tea producers in China and Sri Lanka were undertaken to investigate the contributions of organic crops to the household economy. In both cases, organic production required lower investment in terms of external inputs but a higher input of farmers’ labor. The price premium received by farmers for the organic tea compensated for the extra labor input and lower yield, resulting in a net profit. However, given the relatively small plots of tea gardens of each household, organic production could not fully provide for the households’ livelihood. Non-farm income dominated the total income of the households across the study cases, despite the earnings from organic farming. In both sites, market-oriented organic tea projects have created more options for paid work locally, which benefits women of reproductive age. Social benefits of organic farming were also reported. Pursuing fair trade certification on top of organic production facilitated farmer organizing, training and community development. Organic agriculture and fair trade certification offer important prospects to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in other, less favored areas of Asia. These forms of certified production could provide economic and social benefits in instances where farm income is the main source of household income.

scholarly journals Outlook of Present Organic Agriculture Policies and Future Needs in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 21(36) (3) ◽  
pp. 55-72
Author(s):  
S.H. Pushpa Malkanthi
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Export Market ◽  
Organic Products ◽  
Farming Policy

Many countries are formulating organic agriculture or organic farming policies aimed at sustainable agricultural development. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: to understand the present situation of organic agriculture policies in Sri Lanka and also in other countries where successful organic agriculture is operating; identify problems in the organic agriculture sector; and suggest potential policy measures to be implemented in Sri Lanka in future. The research was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, a thorough literature review was conducted to study the suitable policies available in other countries and also in Sri Lanka at present. In the second stage, two field surveys were carried out using pre-tested questionnaires, from December 2019 to May 2020, in order to gather farmers’ and extension officers’ information related to organic farming policy suggestions. According to the findings of the literature review, organic systems in some countries are more integrated with national strategic plans and visions. Those governments are more involved in new initiatives and farmers are encouraged to go organic through reliable and feasible policies. Although Sri Lanka has a high potential for organic agriculture, at present it is at an initial stage. While most organic products in Sri Lanka go to the export market, a small portion is kept at local markets. Demand for organic products in export as well as domestic markets is increasing. Even though there are seven international food certification agencies operating in the country as external inspection and certification bodies, a limited number of accredited certifications exist for products on the domestic market. Results of the farmers’ survey showed that even if farmers have a significant level of knowledge, few of them practice organic farming due to several existing problems. Moreover, extension officers have also identified similar types of problems that are faced by the farmers related to organic farming. Evaluation of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) related to organic agriculture in the country helped to identify key problems facing policy-makers when balancing the supply and demand sides of organic products. Also, in developing organic agriculture, an effective linkage and coordination among government and private participants is crucial. Therefore, in Sri Lanka in this context, strategic focus on policy support for organic agriculture is needed. Current organic farming programs need to be revised in order to formulate policies covering all areas related to production, handling, processing, certification, labeling and marketing, in order to bring the benefits of organic agriculture to farmers, marketers and consumers in a fair manner.

Abstract #604: Detection of Cardiovascular Risk Factors by Anthropometric Measures in Adults Living in an Urban Setting in Sri Lanka

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 114-115
Author(s):  
Kavinga Gunawardane ◽  
Noel Somasundaram ◽  
Neil Thalagala ◽  
Pubudu Chulasiri ◽  
Sudath Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Anthropometric Measures

Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation in Sri Lanka

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudath Samaraweera ◽  
Athula Sumathipala ◽  
Sisira Siribaddana ◽  
S. Sivayogan ◽  
Dinesh Bhugra
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
General Population ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
National Average ◽  
The West ◽  
Suicide Methods ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Completed Suicide ◽  
The World

Background: Suicidal ideation can often lead to suicide attempts and completed suicide. Studies have shown that Sri Lanka has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world but so far no studies have looked at prevalence of suicidal ideation in a general population in Sri Lanka. Aims: We wanted to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation by randomly selecting six Divisional Secretariats (Dss) out of 17 in one district. This district is known to have higher than national average rates of suicide. Methods: 808 participants were interviewed using Sinhala versions of GHQ-30 and Beck’s Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Of these, 387 (48%) were males, and 421 (52%) were female. Results: On Beck’s Scale for Suicidal Ideation, 29 individuals (4%) had active suicidal ideation and 23 (3%) had passive suicidal ideation. The active suicidal ideators were young, physically ill and had higher levels of helplessness and hopelessness. Conclusions: The prevalence of suicidal ideation in Sri Lanka is lower than reported from the West and yet suicide rates are higher. Further work must explore cultural and religious factors.

Suicide on the Indian Subcontinent

Crisis ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murad M. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Causative Factors

Summary: The Indian subcontinent comprises eight countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives) and a collective population of more than 1.3 billion people. 10% of the world's suicides (more than 100,000 people) take place in just three of these countries, viz. India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. There is very little information on suicides from the other four countries. Some differences from suicides in Western countries include the high use of organophosphate insecticides, larger numbers of married women, fewer elderly subjects, and interpersonal relationship problems and life events as important causative factors. There is need for more and better information regarding suicide in the countries of the Indian subcontinent. In particular, studies must address culture-specific risk factors associated with suicide in these countries. The prevention of this important public health problem in an area of the world with myriad socio-economic problems, meager resources, and stigmatization of mental illness poses a formidable challenge to mental health professionals, policy makers, and governments of these countries.

Sri Lanka: Political violence and ethnic conflict.

1998 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 771-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Rogers ◽  
Jonathan Spencer ◽  
Jayadeva Uyangoda
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Political Violence ◽  
Ethnic Conflict

Emic Perspectives on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children's Mental Health in Northern Sri Lanka

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wietse Tol ◽  
Fiona Thomas ◽  
Anavarathan Vallipuram ◽  
Sambasivamoorthy Sivayokan ◽  
Mark Jordans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Children’S Mental Health ◽  
Children's Mental Health ◽  
The Impact
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document