DSpace Collection:

Status of feed resources for cattle rearing in Batticaloa district representing urban, village and remote areas

2021-10-18T19:08:45Z

Title: Status of feed resources for cattle rearing in Batticaloa district representing urban, village and remote areas Authors: Mahusoon, M.M; Ziyath, A.L.M; Sumanthiran, T Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the availability of feed resources for cattle rearing, their distribution and utilization in urban, village and remote areas of Batticaloa district. Eravur, Vantharumoolai and Karadiyanaru were selected for urban, village and remote areas respectively. Fifty farmers were interviewed in each DS division. Stratified random sampling method was used to select the farmers and totally 150 farmers were interviewed. Majority of the farmers in urban area were small holders but majority of village and remote area farmers were medium holders. Most of the farmers in whole study area were practicing extensive or semi intensive rearing system. Most of the farmers reported that major constraints were high cost for concentrate feeds and lack of grasses and grazing land. Paddy straw, rice bran, fodders, grasses kitchen wastes and crop residues were the major available feeds in whole study area. Paddy straw was used by more than 70% of the farmers in each study area. Suitable conditions for feed production and high availability of feeds in the region were the acceptable merits to the cattle rearing. Lack of pasture and fodder production, increasing cost for concentrate feeds, lack of knowledge about preparation of conserved feed materials (urea treated straw, urea molasses multi-nutrient block and silage), less adoption of improved management practices and non-utilization of non-leguminous tree leaves were the major limitations prevailing in the study area.

Drought and adaptation strategies of the people in the north central province of Sri Lanka

2021-10-18T19:08:45Z

Title: Drought and adaptation strategies of the people in the north central province of Sri Lanka Authors: Gunawardhana, L.M.A.P.; Dharmasiri, Lal Mervin Abstract: There are numerous definitions for drought and it is hard to understand due to its complexity. Drought is considered as socio-natural hazard because occurrence of drought is the result of combination of both natural and human induced factors. People in North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka are frequently undergone to drought and many problems related to deficiency of water. Hence,researcher aimed at to identify the nature and severity of drought in the NCP, to identify perception of people on drought and to recognize various adaptation strategies used by people to cope with drought impacts. Three Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions named Rambewa, Thirappane and Medirigiriya were selected out of 29 DS divisions as the sampling area. Questionnaire, interviews, group discussion, direct observation were used to collectprimary data and secondary data were collected from various sources i.e. institutions, books, journals, and websites. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was used to identify drought in the NCP where two meteorological stations i.e. Anuradhapura and Angamedilla covering 60 years and 40 years period respectively were used to calculate SPI Values. Data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results highlighted that majority of the families i.e. more than 72% in NCP are practicing agriculture and they receive low income. Severity of drought impacts is high and meteorological, hydrological and agricultural droughts lead to create socio-economic drought in the NCP. 31% people believe that drought is occurred once in every year and 41% people believe that drought is occurred once in every 2-3 times. Months of July, August, September undergone to severe drought and most of people believe that reason for drought is the various human activities. Frequency of occurring drought in the NCP has been increased therefore, providing water for agriculture, drinking water, and other purposes has been become challenge. Both on farm and off farm adaptation strategies are being used by the people to cope with effects of drought. It is time to involvement of government to mitigate drought impacts through drought policy.

Effect of tillage implements on saturated hydraulic conductivity of loamy sand soil

2021-10-18T19:08:45Z

Title: Effect of tillage implements on saturated hydraulic conductivity of loamy sand soil Authors: Rifka, A.J.F; Bawatharani, R Abstract: A field study was conducted during May - July, 2015 on loamy sand soil at the Agronomy Farm of Eastern University to compare the effect of different tillage practices on soil saturated hydraulic conductivity at 10 cm depth. The experiment was arranged in a split plot design with three replications where two types of tillage implements (mould board plough and rotovator) were assigned as main plot factors and the speed of operation of the implements such as 0.45, 0.65 and 0.85 m/s as sub plot factors. The treatment combinations were randomly distributed in each block, resulting in a total of 18 plots. Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured using Guelph permeameter. The rate of fall of the water level in the reservoir was observed at 1 minute interval. One set of steady flow rate measurements was made at a constant pressure head of 5 cm water. The hydraulic conductivities were then calculated using “Guelph Permeameter Calculator” spreadsheet. Greatest hydraulic conductivity was obtained with rotovator than mould board plough due to the achieved lower bulk densities and higher porosity with rotovator. It has been documented that higher hydraulic conductivity under shallow tillage than under mould board ploughing is due to stable macro pores. Thus, the variation in size and number of macro pores in each tillage system has caused greater hydraulic conductivity values with rotovator than with mould board plough. Furthermore, inversive tillage with mould board plough made the aggregates unstable during wetting that could cause lower hydraulic conductivities. After four weeks of tillage, hydraulic conductivity was found to be decreased with increase in bulk density due to soil compaction as the hydraulic properties of soils are affected by soil compaction. The statistical analysis revealed that the tillage implements had a significant effect on hydraulic conductivity, but the operating speed did not have any significant impact on hydraulic conductivity at P <0.05. The tillage with rotovator treatments enhanced favorable soil conditions, which facilitated increased hydraulic conductivity of 9.06 mm/h. The tillage plots with mould board plough resulted in lower hydraulic conductivities. Therefore, under the soil and weather conditions of this experiment, the better tillage practice identified for improved soil hydraulic property is tillage with rotovator.

Appraisal on composting and home gardening programme in Kinniya, Trincomalee

2021-10-18T19:11:14Z

Title: Appraisal on composting and home gardening programme in Kinniya, Trincomalee Authors: Krishnanantham, K; Seneviratne, Y. B. M. C. J Abstract: The Present survey was carried out from January-April 2015 to evaluate the current status of composting and home gardening programme in Kinniya. Solid waste was the major problem identified by the PCZRSM project in coastal areas of Kinniya. Several seeds and compost bins were provided by the project for identified households in 2014 to the success of home gardening activities. Main purpose of this activity is indirectly reduce the waste accumulation in coastal areas and make beneficial way as producing compost for home gardening in an effective way. Therefore it is essential for evaluation on the progress of the programme and it was conducted by the formulated questionnaire. The data on socio economic data, waste disposal, and home gardening was collected. Fifty families of samples in particular villages of Alangkerny, Sinnathodam, Eachantheevu and Mahroof Nagar were selected for the survey. The results revealed that the waste disposal into natural eco system was calculated as high percentage (40%) and smell problem was recorded as the main issue (40%) due to unregulated waste disposal before the awareness programme. According to the calculation, the awareness programme conducted by the PCZRSMP created best solution for the solid waste issue. People were encouraged to produce compost and highest portions of families (98%) utilizing compost for agriculture purposes while 2% of them sell their compost. Most of the people (98%) consider compost is an effective fertilizer. The calculation shows that the majority of the people are willing to continue the composting process hence it is an effective waste management method (90%). Most of the villages are satisfied with composting and home gardening programme and willing to continue in future also. Further, the continuous monitoring should be needed for success of the programme as well as for providing best livelihood for the people.