A study on crop protection techniques practiced by vegetable farmers in Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study aimed to identiff the crop protection techniques practiced by vegetable farmers in the Nuwara-Eliya district in Sri Lanka. This Study area covers five Divisional secretariat division (DSD) of Nuwara-district. Such as Nuwara-Eliya, Talawakelle, Ambagamuwa, Kotmale and Norwood. The research considered the crop protection methods employed by farmers, their preferences while selecting, and the challenges faced in crop protection practices. Data were collected through structured questionnaire, the data includes socio-economic factors, farm characteristics, and crop protection practices. Hundred and twenty vegetable farmers were selected for this study. The frndings reveal that chemical methods are the most widely used by farmers with their experience. Cultural practices like crop rotation and intercropping are moderately adopted, while biological control and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) remain unused due to high costs, limited knowledge, ffid inadequate access to resources. The study highlights significant challenges, including pest identification, climate variability, and the high cost of sustainable altematives. It concludes that vegetable farmers rely heavily on chemical inputs. The research suggested that there is need for targeted interventions, such as training programs, subsidies for eco-friendly inputs, and the promotion of IPM, to enhance the resilience and sustainability of vegetable farming in Nuwara-Eliya.