A.P.S. Fernando

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka · Agricultural Systems

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 non-rice crops to meet their demand. Among other factor seed quality greatly influences on rice productivity. Despite the seeds...

How collective organisations can provide smallholders access to modern markets is widely discussed. Smallholder farmers collectively gain economies of scale, access to technology, pool their capital resources to invest in value-added activities and gain bargaining power. Different forms of collective organisations have emerged around the developing...

This study was carried out in Puttalam district of Sri Lanka during January to October 2013. Pure coconut, pure cashew and coconut-cashew inter-cropped stands were selected as treatments with three replicates each to record the yield data, growth measurements and for soil sampling. Questionnaire survey was conducted with farmers with relevant to sa...

Tank cleaners or Armored Catfishes (Family: Loricariidae) are becoming a problem to inland fisheries sector in Sri Lanka. According to the records, Huruluwewa reservoir is one of the inland water bodies heavily infested by Armored Catfishes. This study was carried out to study their feeding habit and assess the impact of them on fishing. The feedin...

The recreational services provided by the natural resource systems to mankind are fast being recognized. However, the knowledge on valuing the flow of recreational services and creating a demand for ecological services is comparatively less explored in developing countries such as Sri Lanka. The recreation value of Muthurajawela ecosystem was estim...

Agro-biodiversity acts as a key environment resource that enhances the sustainability in any given eco-system. Much of the agro-biodiversity remaining in situ today is found on the semi-subsistence farms, small scale farms or home gardens. Labeled “home gardens” as a reflection of their institutional identity during the collectivization period, the...

Rural poor depend heavily on natural capital. This study queried the extent of this dependency by examining 100 households in Anuradhapura district. About 76% of these households extract natural resources and 30% depend totally on natural resources. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty index indicates the population fraction that lives below poverty...

Meager production of higher quality sheet rubber is an issue which has implications on the smallholder's income as well as on the rubber products industry in the country. Although, this problem has been there for some time, it is increasingly becoming grave in the face of a vibrant rubber products manufacturing industry. However, no systematic stud...