http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/621 2026-04-20T02:15:57Z 2026-04-20T02:15:57Z Lakni, W A K I Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U K http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/866 2021-01-08T05:11:53Z 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

CUSTOMER-DEFINED QUALITY OF FOOD: AN EMPIRCAL INVESTIGATION BASED ON KANO ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR MILK POWDER Lakni, W A K I; Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U K Using the Kano Analytical Methods [KAM] (Kano et al., 1984), this study examined empirically the consumer satisfaction towards 18 food quality attributes defined in the Caswell’s classification on customer-defined food quality for the special case of milk powder products. A two-stage research program (i.e. to identify the different forms of attributes and to classify which using the KAM) was carried out to collect data from consumers in a supermarket setting in the Gampaha district from May to June 2008. The results show that consumers judge the 18 attributes as: (a) 4 “One-dimensional” (calorie content, compositional integrity, labeling, past purchase experiences); (b) 7 “Attractive” (size, fat and cholesterol content, taste, appearance, package material, brand name, advertising); (c) 5 “Indifferent” (size, place of origin, price, smell, food additives & preservatives), and (d) 2 “Must-be” (no pathogens, certification). The results are vital for food marketers to adjust the quality of their products to respond effectively to the consumer demands for both intrinsic and extrinsic food quality attributes.

2006-01-01T00:00:00Z Dassanayake, N C Wanigasundara, W A D P Balasuriya, A Amaratunge, M K S L D http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/862 2021-01-08T05:08:49Z 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

A FIELD ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING HORSE HAIR BLIGHT (Marasmius equicrinis) IN TEA IN THE RATNAPURA DISTRICT Dassanayake, N C; Wanigasundara, W A D P; Balasuriya, A; Amaratunge, M K S L D Horse Hair Blight (HHB) is an epiphytic fungus which is not considered phytopathogenic. However, under the hot and humid conditions prevailing in the low country, its proliferation in a habitat like tea bush canopies can cause heavy physical hindrance in major operations such as plucking and pruning. The objectives of this study were to identify the major contributory factors that influence the incidence of HHB in tea gardens while assessing the level of adoption of the recommended remedial measures. This study was conducted in tea gardens that go under water during floods and that do not, in Nivitigala and Elapatha Tea Inspector Ranges in Ratnapura. Primary and secondary data were collected and a field survey using pre tested structured questionnaires by visiting 104 randomly selected teasmall-holder-farmers. The severity of the problem in each field was assessed using the field disease key index and categorized as per the severity of disease spread. Approximately 86% of the surveyed sample has recorded HHB at different intensities. However, a majority of the cases were at moderate levels. Environmental factors seem to be the most important determinants to the occurrence of HHB. Highly significant relationships were seen between the HHB and shade level, soil texture, age of the crop and the type of cultivar. No yield reductions were observed due to HHB. However, it was found to affect the bush health. More than the social standing of the individual, the economic reasons, extent of skills of the available labour and the lack of awareness has an effect on the prevalence of the HHB.

2006-01-01T00:00:00Z Priyadharshini, J Seran, T H http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/855 2021-01-08T04:59:43Z 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

PADDY HUSK ASH AS A SOURCE OF POTASSIUM FOR GROWTH AND YIELD OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata L.) Priyadharshini, J; Seran, T H An experiment was conducted to study the effect of paddy husk ash as a source of potassium on growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). The treatments included recommended rate (0.075 ton/ha) of muriate of potash as a control (T1) and application of paddy husk ash at the rate of 1.5 (T2), 2.5 (T3), 3.5 (T4) and 4.5 (T5) tons/ha. This experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications in sandy regosol. The agronomic parameters were recorded at regular intervals. Result revealed that there were no significant differences among treatments especially for number of seeds and dry weights of leaves, stem and root. However, number of nodules, number of pods, dry weight of pod and 100 seed weight were significantly varied among treatments. It was further noted that application of paddy husk ash at the rate of 4.5 tons/ha gave high yield (1.44 tons/ha) followed by T1 (1.42 tons/ha) and T4 (1.35 tons/ha). The application of paddy husk ash at the rate of 4.5 tons/ha is suitable for obtaining high yield of cowpea in sandy regosol. Hence paddy husk ash could be used as a source of potassium in cowpea cultivation due to the potential constraint of chemical fertilizer and the benefits of organic farming in Sri Lanka.

2006-01-01T00:00:00Z De Silva, D A M Yamao, M http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/851 2021-01-08T04:54:32Z 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

RICE PINCH TO WAR THROWN NATION: AN OVERVIEW OF THE RICE SUPPLY CHAIN OF SRI LANKA AND THE CONSUMER ATTITUDES ON GOVERNMENT RICE RISK MANAGEMENT De Silva, D A M; Yamao, M Rice is staple for 2 million people in war thrown nation devastated by tsunami. This is the second year running in which production increased in real terms through out past has failed to keep pace with population growth. The harvest has also been hit by floods and unusual wet weather. Time series forecasting analysis based on the secondary data was carried out to identify the past, present and future trends of rice production, prices and self sufficiency level. Focus group discussions and field observations used to construct the rice trading pattern. Primary data on consumer attitudes on government rice risk management obtained through the field survey. The study locations include both major rice growing areas (Hambantota, Anuradhapura and Pollonnnaruwa) as well as important consumer hubs (Colombo, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara and Hambantota). Cultivated and harvested land extends and yield have positive increasing trend while simple time series modeler explains the increasing trend of retail prices. Private sector is playing a very important role in rice marketing channel where government intervention is minimal. Behavior of the rice processors has direct impact on the availability of rice and the pricing in dome market. Consumers have negative attitudes on government rice risk management and they are not confident on state intervention.

2006-01-01T00:00:00Z