A Study on buttock Cart Enterprise in Three Districts in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of a field survey conducted to understand the socio-economical issues related to the bullock cart enterprise. Using a structured type questionnaire, data were collected from 30 bullock cart owners in Matara, Galle, and Badulla Districts. Bullock carts were seen not only in rural (55%) but also in urban areas. Majority of the animals were of European cross breed (68%) followed by Indian crosses (23%) and many of the animals were older than 10 years (54%). Majority of bullock carf animals works more than lOh (63%), daily (45%) and travels more than 10 km per day (68%) and carries more than 500 kg of carriage (81%). Many of the bullock cart operators were farmers (72%) and older than 40 years (71%). The charge of a carriage depends on the load weight, distance of transport and the type of the load. The mean daily income was as high as Rs 1,200/= and none of the respondents wished to give up the enterprise. However none of the cart owners wished to see their children, continue this enterprise. The major problems and concerns of the cart owners were un-favorable social perception, job insecurity, fluctuation of income and high management Cost of animals.