Abstract:
The study investigated the problems
faced by seed paddy farmers. The survey was
conducted by taking a total of 120 seed paddy
producing farmers between September 2020 to
December 2020 at Akkaraipattu, Addalaichenai
and Alayadivembu Divisional Secretariats (DS)
areas in Ampara district. Respondent were
selected based on the stratified sampling
technique and randomly interviewed directly by
preparing a semi-structured questionnaire. The
results indicated that more than half of the seed
paddy farmers faced labour shortage during the
harvest (53.4%) where as 48.3% of them affected
by the lack of seed paddy for their cultivation. The
cost for controlling the weed, pest and diseases
was higher compared to other activities (40%)
whare as 70% of the seed paddy farmers were
facing difficulties to get cleaned seed while only
5% of their lost the seed germination due to
combine harvester. We concluded that the major
problems faced by the seed paddy farmers were
labour shortage, cultivation, management
practices and harvesting problems. Therefore, this
study suggests that most of the youngsters and
educators should be motivated and trained about
the seed paddy farming through extension
services. Further, seed agencies should expand
their distribution networks to ensure that quality
seed is available to farmers quickly and easily in
this surveyed area.
