Mangoes in Sri Lankan Home Gardens: How Predominant Are They?

Project Description A study based on an investigation over a sample of 435 home gardens in Sri Lanka distributed across Hambantota, Jaffna, Matale, and Ratnapura districts. Key Findings A majority of mango trees (64%) occupied the understory layer, with their importance and contribution to biomass ranging from 1% to 15%, varying significantly by district. Proper…

Willingness to Pay for Improved Planting Materials: An Application of Experimental Auction in Sri Lanka

Project Description The low adoption rates of improved agricultural technologies, particularly quality mango planting materials, among small-holder farmers. This low adoption is exacerbated by insufficient awareness and a lack of understanding regarding the relationship between household characteristics and farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for such advancements. Therefore, the major objectives of this study are to…

Ripe for Change: Tackling Tomato Loss at the Producer Level

Project Description Tomato, a well-known crop globally, is cultivated extensively across Sri Lanka. As it is highly perishable, an estimated 35-40% is not utilised for the intended food purposes. With a limited understanding of patterns of such losses along the supply chain, mitigation efforts are often misdirected or ineffective. This study investigates tomato producer behaviours…

An inquiry into Cultural Element Structuring Value chain behavior of Karuthakolomban Mango collectors in Sri Lanka

Project Description Despite concerted efforts to advance understanding of the Karuthakolomban mango value chain, often categorized as a division between scientific and local knowledge, a prevailing top-down approach to scientific communication continues to disregard the wealth of cultural knowledge held by local stakeholders. This study introduces an empirical application of cultural consensus analysis, shedding light…

Diversity of Genus Mangifera in Sri Lanka and its Diverse Production Systems: Implication for Fruit Losses and Future of Mango Production

Project Description The study examines diverse mango cultivation methods in Sri Lanka, their scale, and variations; investigates the impact of these systems on food loss within the mango supply chain and assesses their capacity for production enhancement. It aims to guide Sri Lanka’s mango industry for long-term success by adapting to market changes, environmental shifts,…