Mechanization of Rice Production in Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka: Current Status and Future Potential
Wasantha Gunathilake, Wasala Gamlath, and Nipuna Chamara
Abstract
Background: Increase in productivity of agriculture has become an essential feature in stepping towards sustainability. The younger generation avoids the cultivation, leading the labour shortage to become a significant challenge. To motivate young people into agriculture, mechanization plays a vital role. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the degree of mechanization of rice cultivation activities in the Anuradhapura district and to assess the future mechanization potential.
Methods: Primary data were collected through a comprehensive questionnaire and personal interviews. Farmers were randomly selected from the Divisional Secretariats in the Anuradhapura district based on the stratified random sampling method. Data were collected through pre-tested questionnaires from 220 rice farmers.
Results: Mechanization level was 100% in land preparation and threshing in rice cultivation. Meanwhile, highest mechanization requirement in rice cultivation was identified for bund making (100%), transplanting and weeding (97%), power chemical application (92%), and power spraying and weeding (92%). The highest mechanization capacity was reported in irrigation scheme based rice fields, while the lowest was reported under rain-fed rice cultivation.
Conclusions: Bund making, transplanting, weeding, power chemical application activities have the potential to be mechanized in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. Rice transplanting approaches need to be popularized to increase the mechanical weeding, reduce weedicide application and increase mechanization.
Keywords: Anuradhapura District, Farm Machinery, Mechanization, Rice Cultivation