A study of the existing knowledge and practice of small and medium - scale agricultural entrepreneurs on the export market

Abstract

As a developing country, it is important for Sri Lanka to consider the export sector in achieving the desired economic goals and still, Sri Lanka is a country that has prioritized the export of agricultural products. Entrepreneurship plays the most important role in achieving the economic development of a country, and considering Sri Lanka, small and medium-scale agricultural entrepreneurship makes a remarkable contribution to it. When considering the export sector, the contribution of small and medium-scale agricultural enterprises is at a very low level. Therefore, this research aimed to gain an understanding of the knowledge and practices of small and medium-scale agricultural enterprises about the export market and to assist in the development of the export market accordingly. Out of 1,376 small and medium-scale entrepreneurs registered in the Galgamuwa and Giribawa Divisional Secretariats of the Kurunegala District, 250 were selected as a sample using a simple random method. A principal component analysis was conducted to identify the main factors affecting it, in which the factors of literacy, financial ability, management ability, government policies and marketing capability were identified as internal factors that have a high impact on the export market and existing knowledge regarding the export market, and utilization of knowledge of the export market were identified as external factors. Accordingly, proper policies and practical programs are necessary to empower small and medium-scale agricultural enterprises. Further, entrepreneurs can be encouraged to remove the obstacles to access the export market and achieve the desired economic development goals for Sri Lanka.