Abstract:
Tea Smallholders in Sri Lanka encounter significant challenges due to noncompliance
with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in tea cultivation, necessitating
the urgent implementation of effective adaptation strategies. The GAP in tea
cultivation, considers soil conservation, shade management, efficient water
management, integrated pest management, and sustainable farming techniques,
which are essential for maintaining productivity and environmental sustainability.
This study aimed to evaluate the extent of GAP knowledge among tea smallholders
in the Uva region and examine their implementation of adaptation measures to
address GAP challenges. A randomly selected 100 tea smallholder in the Uva
region was selected. Utilizing a cross-sectional and exploratory research design, this
study employed diverse data collection methods, including interviews, pre-tested
questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field observations, to ensure a
comprehensive and multifaceted approach. These methodological approaches
facilitated the collection of valuable insights into tea smallholders‟ awareness and
their adoption of GAP. Subsequently, the collected data were analyzed to discern
the farmers' knowledge and implementation of adaptation measures in response to
GAP challenges. Descriptive statistical analysis and multiple linear regressions
were performed to analyze the data using SPSS software. In the Uva region, the
majority 52% of tea smallholders exhibited moderate awareness, while 23% of tea
smallholders demonstrated a high level of awareness of GAP. Moreover, the
adoption of GAP was significantly determined by the education level, income,
experience in the field, knowledge of cultural practices of tea smallholders, and
extension services. These findings suggest that adopting GAP in tea cultivation
among smallholders in the Uva Region is imperative in improving the quality of tea
and its sustainability. Further, future research could explore the impact of GAP on
productivity and profitability in different study areas of Sri Lanka.
