Abstract:
Maize is a popular course grain grown in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Glyphosate was the most popular and effective herbicide used in maize cultivation until it was banned in Sri Lanka, in 2015. Without introducing a substitute to control weeds in maize, glyphosate banning was huge problem in the farming community. Hence, the study aims to investigate the effects of glyphosate banning on the maize cultivation and adaption methods used by maize farmers. Primary data (cost of production and cultivation extent data) were collected by field survey using purposively selected 60 farmers from Kahatagasdigiliya, Horowpathana and Galenbindunuwewa agricultural instructor (AI) divisions in Anuradhapura district. Multiple linear regression was utilized to find the effect of glyphosate banning on cultivation extent, maize production and cost of production. The categorical variable, adequacy of rainfall was used to remove the effect of rainfall. The results revealed that cultivation extent and yield were not significantly affected by the glyphosate banning while it affected to the cost of production (COP, p<0.05). The average COP per acre has increased from Rs. 47,701 to Rs. 57,254 with banning of glyphosate. About 39% of respondents had used other recommended herbicides and 28% of respondents had used Monosodium Glutamate while 23% of respondents use kerosene oil with other chemicals as alternatives for glyphosate. The study concludes that banning of glyphosate has significantly increased the COP, hence the cost-effective alternative weed control methods should be introduced for the sustainability of maize cultivation.
