Abstract:
Due to the limitation of productivity in dry zone paddy fields, it is necessary to increase the
productivity of paddy cultivation in the wet zone by increasing the degree of mechanization as a
labour solution strategy. However, according to the literature review, the degree of
mechanization in the paddy sector in Sri Lanka is lower than compare to other developing
countries. Therefore, this research study tried to find out the potentials for using new
agricultural machinery rather than using traditional ways of paddy cultivation in the wet zone.
Main objectives of the study were (a) to identify paddy farmers' degree of mechanization in each
stage of the paddy farming process, (b) to identify the significant barriers and influencing factors
that paddy farmers faced while using agricultural machinery, (c) to workout farmers' costs and
benefits associated with agricultural machinery usage, and (d) to suggest recommendations to
uplift the mechanization in wet zone as a solution for skilled labour shortage. The data were
collected from 100 paddy farmers in the Dodangoda Divisional Secretariat division using a pre tested questionnaire. Collected data were analysed by using the one-way ANOVA test, cost benefit analysis, and descriptive methods. The cost-benefit analysis indicated the lowest
feasibility score of hiring machinery of both land preparation stage and harvesting and threshing
stage and those scores were 0.11 and 0.13, respectively. Accordingly, hiring machinery seems
beneficial to farmers. This study revealed that younger age of farmers, high education level,
cultivating in hired lands, farmers' experience level, and better land conditions, low availability
to cheaper alternatives than machinery act as influencing factors while muddy field condition,
availability of cheaper alternatives, cultivating in own land, low education level and increasing
age act as barriers for mechanization. The degree of mechanization can be increased if
machinery developers can build machines that are compatible with the field condition of local
paddy fields. Besides, purchases own mini combine harvester (MCH) is not beneficial to an
individual farmer. Therefore, the study suggests purchasing MCH for farmer organizations
would be more beneficial for them.
