Impact of socio-economic factors on selection of tractor and animal power for rice cultivation - a case study in Ampara district [Sri Lanka]
1987
Anon.
Four-wheeled tractors were widely used for rice production in the coastal areas. Farmers in the valley areas preferred draught animals for land preparation. The type and pattern of farm power adoption varied according to socio-economic conditions within the district, agro-ecological conditions of the different regions, technological factors and government policy. The findings of the study are: 1) Four-wheeled tractors were not economical for small farmholdings, but tractor owners made additional income through hired services and non-agricultural activities during off-seasons. Animal owners earned their income mainly from their own farm activities. Breakeven point analysis showed, that tractor owners and animal owners were making profit under their respective prevailing conditions. 2) Use of tractors reduced labour requirement by 6 man-days for land preparation. Impact on labour varied depending on the availability of land and labor for cultivation. 3) Number and extent of small holdings have increased. 4) Effect on cost of cultivation depends on hire rates and utilization of family labour. 5) Timeliness of cultivation, increase in cultivated area and increase in total production would justify the foreign exchange spent on the import of tractors.
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