Mechanization as a Solution for Skilled Labor Shortage of Paddy Farming Sector in Wet Zone Mechanization as a Solution for Skilled Labor Shortage of Paddy Farming Sector in Wet Zone

Abstract

Due to the limitation of productivity in dry zone paddy farmers, it is necessary to increase the productivity of paddy cultivation in the wet zone by increasing the degree of mechanization as a labor solution technology. However, the degree of mechanization in the paddy sector in Sri Lanka is lower than in other developing countries. Therefore, this research study tries to find out the potentials of increasing paddy productivity using new agricultural machinery for traditional ways of paddy cultivation in the wet zone. The main objectives of the study are to identify paddy farmers’ degree of mechanization in each stage of paddy farming process, identify the significant barriers that paddy farmers faced while using agricultural machinery, identify farmers’ costs and benefits gained using agricultural machinery, and finally, to suggest recommendations to uplift the mechanization in wet zone as a solution for skilled labor shortage. The data were collected using pre-tested questioner from paddy farmers in Dodangoda ds division; collected data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test, cost-benefit analysis (CBA), and descriptive methods. The CBA indicated the lowest feasibility score for hiring machinery in both land preparation stage and harvesting and threshing stage and those scores were 0.11 and 0.13, respectively. Accordingly, hiring machinery seem beneficial for farmers. Very deeply muddy field condition (Stuck) in paddy lands avoided the usage of machinery. Farmers who had >6 years of experience, tended to use traditional ways to do paddy cultivation. Study findings further revealed that youth farmers tended to use agricultural machinery in both stages the degree of mechanization can be increased if machinery developers can build machinery that is compatible with the field condition of paddy fields, purchase own mini combine harvester (MCH) is not beneficial for individual farmer; therefore, study suggests to purchase MCH for farmer organization.