Smallholder Rubber Farming based Agro-tourism: Potential, Attitude and Challenges in Sri Lanka-A Case Study in Moneragala District

This study was carried out to assess the possibilities of the Rubber Farming based Agro-Tourism (RFAT) in the smallholder rubber sector in Moneregala. The study covered 222 rubber smallholdings in eight rubber growing DS divisions and was conducted in 2019 through a questionnaire survey and focus group discussions. Stratified random sampling technique was applied. Rubber Agro-tourism Potential Index (RAPI) was developed to measure the resource availability in rubber smallholdings. The 18 potential rubber farming practices which could be offered to a tourist were identified. The younger Rubber Smallholders (RSs) were more aware of the agro-tourism. Young, educated and experienced RSs had a highly positive attitude for RFAT. Comparatively, more positive impacts of RFAT were highlighted by RSs. Lack of practical exposure to RFAT and low level of different language skills were identified as major constraints by the RSs. Badalkumbura DS division was the most potential resourceful area for development of RFAT in Moneragala. Hence, there is an utmost need to work for uplifting the RFAT industry from governmental, non-governmental, private and community sectors. There is a felt necessity to implement awareness programmes, training and workshops, especially for RSs and small-scale tourism business entrepreneurs to uplift the RFAT industry through forming the relevant organizations. This information will be provided with an immense value for policy makers, researchers, extension planners to make the RFAT industry a profitable, socially acceptable and an environmentally friendly approach for the betterment of the nation

Determinants of Turnover Intention of Rubber Harvesters in Medium Scale Rubber Holdings: A Case Study in Colombo District

It was witnessed that a high income among the Latex Harvesters (LHs) in medium-scale rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) smallholder sector in Sri Lanka during the past few years, where serious efforts had to be made to find out the factors triggering the situation. Such findings will be useful for policy makers to develop the approaches relating to human resource development programmes of LHs in order to achieve better performance in the rubber sector. The focus of this study was on three independent variables, namely Job Satisfaction (JS), Organisational Commitment (OC) and Job Demand (JD) that were thought to be linked with Turnover Intentions (TI) of the LHs, with an effort to fill the research gap. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire survey in 2020 from 297 LHs in rubber-growing areas in the Colombo District. The sample was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. The variables were measured with the use of validated items. The responses to the LHs for the items were captured on a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used. Female LHs were predominant in the sample, and the age of the LHs varied from 19 to 79 years. Only 8% of LHs had pursued/completed tertiary level education which, was the highest educational level. The majority of the sample (nearly 50%) had 11 to 15 years of work experience in rubber farming. The composite three-predictor conceptual model was validly and reliably capable of explaining 79% of the variances in the TI of the LHs. The findings revealed that JS and OC of LHs had a negative effect on TI. This can enhance JS and OC in order to lower their TI in the medium-scale rubber smallholder sector in Sri Lanka. Keywords: Latex Harvesters, Rubber, Turnover Intentio