Impact of Development of Weekly Fair on Rural Farmers: A Case Study in Hambantota District

Abstract

Southern Province Rural Economic Advancement Project has developed 10 out of the 29 weekly-fairs in Hambantota District. This study attempted 1. to assess the impact of development of weekly fair on rural farmers, and 2. find out the farmers’ perception on fair development. Weerakatiya and Angunukolapalassa fairs were selected randomly. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from farmers. Descriptive methods, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test and Sign Test were used to analyze the data. Fair development has affected positively to increase the market opportunities for farmers, cultivation extent in the surrounding area, selling quantity, number of buyers, welfare and infrastructural facilities of the both fairs. However, the toilet and waste disposing facilities were not improved up to acceptable level at Agunukolapalassa fair. Further, farmers did not satisfy with parking and storage facilities. Most of the farmers have highly satisfied with Weerakatiya fair structural because it had complete stall with roof, cement floor, surrounding wall with electricity. The ideas on planning, space for future expansion, sufficient facilities for storage, parking, welfare and infrastructure at fair premises need to be discussed with beneficiaries before developing a weekly fair.