Sustainability assessment of paddy farming system in Kaduwela wetland ecosystem in Sri Lanka
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Abstract
As a result of intensive agriculture, the number of worldwide natural wetlands are losing their biodiversity and unique characteristics. Kaduwela wetland ecosystem is such a natural wetland in Colombo district of Sri Lanka which has a long history of paddy farming. This study was carried out to assess the sustainability of this wetland paddy ecosystem while determining factors affecting paddy farmers’ adaptability for sustainable agricultural practices in the locality. A household questionnaire survey was conducted in 2019 for 100 randomly selected paddy farmers in the Dedigamuwa Grama Niladhari Division to collect data. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data analysis. Thirteen different indicators were developed to assess economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and then economic efficiency index (EEI), social security index (SSI), and environmental security index (ESI) were derived which were used to calculate the total sustainability index (TSI). Multiple linear regression was used to identify the factors affecting paddy farmers’ adaptability for sustainable agricultural practices. Results revealed that only 3% of the farmers are sustainable (TSI ≥ 0.5) while 97% (TSI < 0.5) are vulnerable. Furthermore, profitability from paddy farming (0.0001 ± 0.0000; p = 0.007), education level of the farmers (0.6552 ± 0.2063; p = 0.002), frequency of extension services (1.6809 ± 0.7713; p = 0.031), women participation in farming (5.6694 ± 2.7946; p = 0.045) and paddy farming experience (0.4746 ± 0.1061; p = 0.0026) positively influenced while hired labours per acre per season (–0.2905 ± 0.0937; p < 0.0001) negatively influenced on the adaptability of sustainable agricultural practices by the paddy farmers. The results of this study reported decreasing the cost of production, using resource– conserving practices, and improving technologies, increasing information availability and accessibility as the major factors that are vital to promoting sustainability in this wetland–paddy ecosystem. The study also suggests the need for government support and intervention in agricultural advisory services as an engine to promote sustainable agricultural practices while conserving unique characteristics of Kaduwela wetland paddy ecosystems in Sri Lanka.
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