Abstract:
The Granary Area Programme (GAP) was designed to enhance the productivity of
rice farming in areas with high potential for rice cultivation in Sri Lanka and was
implemented between 2003 hhd 2007. The programme focused on developing
farmer groups based on yaya and the provision of a package of extension service for
these groups. The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of the programme
interventions.) The philosophy underpinning this research is the constructivist
paradigm of inquiry that believes the reality is constructed by multiple perceptions
of different stakeholders. The research methodology is based on both qualitative and
quantitative approaches including various data collection methods. The findings of
this study suggest that this programme was unable to make a significant
contribution to productivity enhancement in the paddy sector. Also this programme
has not made a marked contribution to increase the farmers’ adaptability to new
agronomic practices. However, the GAP has provided more farmer training
opportunities. It has also contributed to the development of the extension system.
