Abstract:
Cinnamon is one of the major spices important in export economy' More
than 90 percent is exported from the total production. There is a stagnant
market
-in
terms of export quality and value particularly for its value
added products. Eventually, the average retail price of cinnamon products
has also become stagnani despite of short-term fluctuations' Further,
the grower's involvement in producing quality cinnamon products is
draiically diminishing. A field survey was conducted covering 50
cinnamonfarmers in three divisional secretariats in Matara district during
20a7 toexamine the marketing problems of the cinnamon farmers in the
District.
Tlrestudyrevealedthattherewereseveralmarketingproblemsof
cinnamon farmers such as shortage of skilled labour' low labour
productivity, very high cost of harvesting and processing'.use of
inuppropriuie technology' traditional management of processing and
gruaing, lack of rnarket information to the growers, lack of knowledge
Ibout [uality requirements, inadequate government subsidies, lack of
entrepreneuiiut rtitt. of the growers and low profitability. Development
of appropriate machinery iraining of peelers, creating awareness of
prop; sanitary standards, provision of necessary institutional support,
Ltimination of middlemen involvement and supply of subsidised credit
facilities are recommended to improve cinnamon industry
