Ilangathilaka, K.A.G., Rupasena, L.P. and Fernando, S. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
ABSTRACT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Stagnation of rice productivity is a major issue in Sri Lanka because expansion of land extent KEYWORDS<\/strong>: Formal seed, Informal seed, Seed quality<\/p>\n\n\n\n View Full Paper PDF<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Factors Affecting Rice Farmers\u2019 Choice of Formal Seed Ilangathilaka, K.A.G., Rupasena, L.P. and Fernando, S. ABSTRACT Stagnation of rice productivity is a major issue in Sri Lanka because expansion of land extent is not possible due to reach of its maximum level. Moreover, it is urgently need to release some rice lands for cultivation of … Continue reading
\nis not possible due to reach of its maximum level. Moreover, it is urgently need to release
\nsome rice lands for cultivation of non-rice crops to meet their demand. Among other factor
\nseed quality greatly influences on rice productivity. Despite the seeds supplied through formal
\nsources such as government and private seed producers are certified for their quality, use of
\nuncertified seeds sourced from informal sources such as farmer-saved seeds which are not
\ncertified has been a major problem resulting low productivity. Understanding how farmers
\nchoose between formal and informal seed sources is important to promote the use of certified
\nquality seeds among farmers to enhance the productivity. Therefore, this study aims to
\nidentify the factors that determine the choice of formal seeds. A total of randomly selected 59
\nrice farmers in Nachchaduwa settlement of Anuradhapura district was interviewed using a
\npretested questionnaire. Tabular analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze
\nthe data. The tabular analysis showed that a 43% of the sampled farmers used informal seeds
\ndue to the unavailability of formal seeds in the farming communities. The price of seeds
\n(p<0.05) and the distance to the source (p<0.05) from the farmer’s dwelling have significantly
\nand positively affected the choice of formal seeds over informal seeds. Farmers are more
\nlikely to travel far in searching and pay more for formal seeds. This type of behavior reflects
\nthe quality consciousness of farmers. To improve the uptake the access to formal rice seeds
\nneeds to be increased. Since private or government suppliers of formal seeds are less available
\nin the settlement, individuals and farmer organizations should be incentivized to produce
\ncertified formal seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n