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

Potential of Smallholder Rubber Farming Based Agro-tourism-A Case Study in Moneragala District in Sri Lanka

Globally, tourism is rated as the fastest-growing industry and agro-tourism is an emerging, sustainable and very prospective sub-sector of tourism in the world which is still at the infant stage in Sri Lanka. This study was carried out to assess the possibilities of the Rubber farming based Agro-Tourism (RAT) in the smallholder rubber sector in Moneregala. The study covered 222 rubber smallholdings in eight rubber growing Divisional Secretariat (DS) Divisions and was conducted in 2019 through a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions and field level observations. Stratified random sampling technique was applied for the household survey. Data were analysed through descriptive and Spearman correlation analysis. Rubber Agro-tourism Potential Index (RAPI) was developed to measure the resource availability in rubber smallholdings to optimise the conditions in need for the development of RAT. The 18 potential rubber farming practices which can be offered to a tourist were identified. Based on the RAPI, Badalkumbura DS division was the most potential resourceful area for development of RAT in Moneragala. The younger farmers are more aware of the agro-tourism. Age (r=-0.7578), education level (r=0.6110) and farming experience (r=0.7370) of rubber farmers showed significant relationship with attitude for establishing RAT with 0.05 significant level, while rubber extent and memberships of the societies were not significant. Comparatively, more positive impacts of RAT were highlighted by rubber farmers. Lack of practical exposure to RAT and low level of different language skills were identified as major constraints by the farmers. Findings indicate that smallholder rubber farming based agro-tourism is a potential area to develop in the years to come. This study will enhance the benefits of agro-tourism as a sustainable rural development strategy in Moneragala district. Keywords: Agro-tourism, Rubber smallholders, Rubber agro-tourism, Potential inde

Ecosystem Services of Smallholder Rubber Cultivation: A Case Study in Moneragala District in Sri Lanka

Any type of positive, direct or indirect benefits which are provided free to human well-being is considered as an Ecosystem Service (ESS). Although a land of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) cultivation is a man-made forest, it provides us with an ESS. This study was carried out to assess the Smallholders’ Perception on ESS of the Smallholder Rubber Cultivation (SPESSSRC) in Moneregala District. Thus, this study was aimed to find the perception of the Rubber Smallholders (RSs) on the ESS of rubber cultivation and to identify the factors affecting their perception. A questionnaire survey was carried out for the study in 2019, and the sample of RSs was selected with stratified random sampling. The study covered 222 RSs in eight rubber growing Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Moneragala District. Twenty-five items were developed to measure the SPESSSRC namely; Provisioning Services (PS), Regulating Services (RS), Cultural Services (CS) and Supporting Services (SS) provided by the ESS. A five point modified Likert-type scale was used to measure the extent of agreement of items and the mean score for each item was derived. Then the mean perception score of respondents was calculated and their key socio-economic characteristics were measured. Perception of the respondents was categorized as the least, moderate and the most favourable level by confidence interval method. Descriptive method and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis were used in data analysis. Items used to measure SPESSSRC were reliable (Cronbach alpha values>0.7). The overall perception level of RSs towards SPESSSRC was under the most favourable level. About 54% of RSs in this study area considered that SPESSSRC as the most favourable, while 30% as favourable and 16% as the least favourable level. The mean score of overall SPESSSRC was 3.77. The highest mean score was recorded with the PS (3.81), while the lowest (3.73) was recorded with the CS. The mean scores of RS and SS were 3.78 and 3.75, respectively. The level of education (r=0.4570), age (r=0.7650), the experience in farming (r=0.8790) and rubber farming (r=0.8870), the extent of rubber farming (r=0.6987), training programmes participated (r=0.6370) and income from rubber farming (r=0.7370) were significantly correlated with SPESSSRC at 0.05 significance level, while gender and the type of job engagement have not shown a significant relationship with perception. Accordingly, perceived perception of RSs explained that rubber cultivation possess ESS.  Keywords: Ecosystem service, Rubber cultivation, Smallholder