Factors Influencing the Replanting of Tea Small Holdings: A Case Study in Matara District

Abstract

It has been estimated that the economical harvest of tea can be obtained up to 20 years and thereafter it is recommended to replant, after rehabilitation of soil. However, the replanting rate is much lower (720 ha) than the expectation of estimated area of 134840 ha in the small holding sector in 2014. This study mainly focuses to identify the reasons behind the low interest for replanting of unproductive tea lands of tea small holders. Randomly selected 180 farmers from six DS divisions in Matara District were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The Descriptive Statistical Tools were used to present the data while Chi-square test was used to find the associations between demographic variables and the interest of replanting. The study revealed that about 75% of the small holders mainly depend on the income* from tea. More than 80% of the farmers were aware about the subsidy scheme and the procedures to follow to get subsidy while about 70% of the farmers were aware about the economic age of the tea bush and the requirement of renewal after 20 years. However, 88% of the farmer having plantations aged more than 20 did not wish to replant Some farmers (17% ) had replanted a part of their land using own money as they are not willing to keep the land a long period for soil rehabilitation. Also, 20% of the small holders were having less than % acre while about 50% were having less than one acre. The Chi-square analysis proved that there is a significant association between the holding size and the tendency for replanting. Small holder who having other reliable income sources such as government jobs showed more tendencies for replanting. Also Chi-square analysis showed a negative relationship between the desire of replanting and the age of the owner. It can be concluded that loss of income during the fallow period and consequent uncertainty were the main reason for low replanting rate. Therefore, the study suggests the importance of alternative economic creating crops for soil rehabilitation.