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…
Project Description According to the export potential map (2022) of the International Trade Centre (ITC), Sri Lanka has a higher potential for exporting agricultural products to different countries. But Sri Lanka can’t export at its full potential, and there is a considerable gap between the potential exports of the country and the actual exports of…
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…
Project Description In 2003, as much as 75% of tomatoes produced in Sri Lanka could have ended up in waste along the supply chain, mainly due to losses incurred during transportation. The inherent perishability of fresh tomatoes, combined with inappropriate packaging, transportation, distance to the markets, and inappropriate handling of the produce are the primary…
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…
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…
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,…
Project Description Food loss and waste (FLW) in the tomato supply chain (SC) remains a pressing global concern, yet comprehensive scientific information on its extent, impacts, contributory factors, and measurement methodologies is limited. The absence of universally accepted definitions for FLW along with different terminologies and measurement approaches, and the dispersion of the existing knowledge…
Project Description Many mango varieties have broad and tall structures, leading to challenges in tree management and harvesting. The most significant postharvest losses taking place during the harvesting phase, are primarily attributed to the harvesting technique used by harvesters. In many regions across Sri Lanka, the traditional approach to mango harvesting, involving manual methods, is…
Project Description Damages that reduce the quantity or quality of fruits and vegetables can occur during any stage of the supply chain and affect the associated income opportunities for the actors of the supply chain. One of the main challenges faced when designing targeted interventions to reduce these losses is the lack of detailed data…
