Point at issue for non-adoption of compost making in Kilinochchi Sri Lanka by SSM Peramunagama
SSM Peramunagama, 5th International Conference on Dry Zone Agriculture-2019, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna
R. Thusyanthini, SSM Peramunagama and AGSD De Silva
Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka
Abstract
For the few farmers that were engaged in composting, the amounts that they made fell far short of their annual needs and the main reason revolved around the timing of the actual compost manure making. Therefore, this study aims to identify the different biodegradable waste in household level and divergent contentions for non-adoption of compost making further more suggestions for altercations of future adoption. A focus group discussion was conducted in the Piramanthanaru GN division, a farming village in Kilinochchi District, with the active participation of 15 men and 15 women was selected purposively. Awareness of respondents on compost, manure was evaluated using a written test. Each respondent was asked questions about composting materials, different composting methods, dimensions for each method, composting process, compost application and importance of compost manure. Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques (Transect walks, pair wise ranking and resource map) were used to obtain information. The most critical factor that affected the adoption of compost making was unaware of composting materials, different composting methods, dimensions for each method, composting process, compost application and importance of compost manure therefor, only 30% of the population’s knowledge of composting were around 50% marks others less than 10%. Along with the causes for non-adoption of compost making, no interest, not required amount of biodegradable wastages per day, inadequate amount for commercial cultivation, time consumption for decomposition, and unaware of the importance of organic fertilizer. Given that knowledge for future adoption of compost is a prerequisite to the needs of training and development for motivating farmers’ knowledge of composting will need to be raised substantially before appreciable levels of adoption can be expected. The role of extension services in promoting compost making, intensify trainings and demonstrations on the use of compost manure is very essential.
Key words: Compost, biodegradable waste , Kilinochchi District, Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques