Abstract:
This study attempted to show the profitability of paddy production in the coastal region of the
Amparai district. This region consists of nine district secretariat divisions and 69% of paddy land
areas of Amparai district and produces of 77% of the total district paddy production with the
average yield of 4900 kg per hectare.
The information needed for this study were collected through a structured, pre-tested
questionnaire for Maha 1999/2000 and Yala 2000. Totally 250 paddy farmers were selected for
this study using double stratified random sampling technique. The stratifications were carried out
across the extent and the system of irrigation. Considering the similarity in paddy cultivation
practices the study areas were combined together and formed into three groups namely Nintavur
(ND), Sammanthurai (SD) and Akkaraipattu (AD) divisions with sample size of 50, 125 and 75
respectively.
The study mainly analyses the cost of production (COP), yield, income and Cost-benefit ratios of
paddy cultivation. There was no significant difference in COP between two seasons for the
farmers from ND & AD in case of SD farmers COP was Rs 2007.00 ± 1,173.00 greater than in
Maha season. Based on the analysis on yield, farmers from ND obtained higher yield than the
other farmers for both seasons. When the profit was compared, the SD farmers obtained a
slightly higher yield than the ND and AD farmers. With regard to total income received from the
paddy cultivation ND farmers obtained higher income than the other farmers. During the study
period there was no difference observed in selling price of paddy between seasons and also no
significant differences obtained in selling price between three divisions. The study also revealed
that the farmers obtained low return to their investment due to improper practices used in the
paddy cultivation.