Abstract:
A study was carried out to identify rubber farmers' awareness and adoption of improved
technologies in the Seethawaka DS division, Colombo District. By following a random
sampling procedure, 100 rubber farmers were selected, and a structured interview schedule
was used to collect the information through personal interviews. The collected data were
analyzed by using the SPSS package. The frequencies, percentages and correlation
coefficients were used to interpret the results.
The results revealed that the average age of rubber farmers was 45-55 years old, 81% of farmers
were males, and 19% of farmers were female. The average educational level of the farmer was
up to the secondary level. The average family size was four members, and the average income
(farm and off-farm) was Rs. 67210.00 per month. Most of the farmers had 20-30 years of
farming experience in rubber cultivation. Their social participation and engaged with the
extension activities were very low. Most male persons participated in various activities under
Rubber cultivation, but female participation was high in the activity of tapping. Most
respondents had some idea about the improved rubber technologies, but no one adopted those
technologies.
