http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/579 2026-04-15T04:02:28Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/807 Barriers Faced by Small Farmers in Adopting the Integrated Plant Nutrient System for Sustainable Farming Development Rahman, M. Zulfikar; Yamao, M; Alam, M. A This paper presents findings of a study on the barriers faced by small farmers in adopting the integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) for sustainable farming development. The study was conducted in 3 villages in the central sub-district of Narail, in Bangladesh. Data were collected through interviews with 110, randomly selected farmers. The majority were found to use plant nutrient sources either inadequately or only moderately. Manure was found to be used much less frequently than fertilizers, even though in the past it was the main source of soil nutrients for farmers in the region. The results indicate that more than three quarters of the farmers questioned confronted moderate barriers in adopting IPNS, while 20% faced severe barriers. In addition the barriers faced were found to be inversely proportional to the farmers’ education level, farm size, innovativeness, extension contact network, knowledge of the IPNS technique and the perceived benefits of using manure. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/806 Regional Dimensions of Development of Sri Lanka Uduporuwa, R.J.M This article examines the present situation of regional dimensions of development of Sri Lanka. In this respect, this study was carried out by employing several indicators of development. It can be clearly observed that, development strategies implemented by Sri Lanka within the past fifty years have not successfully contributed to reduce the socioeconomic disparities in Sri Lanka. Economic development, physical and social infrastructure facilities and urban growth etc. have distributed unevenly among nine provinces since1950s. The most functionally dynamic core region in the country lies in Western Province and most of the economic activities take place within this region. As a result, most of the other areas have become economically backward. Therefore, unequal development of regions called “provinces” is a problem throughout the history of Sri Lanka. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/805 Reasons for the Improvement of Labor Productivity in Tea Plantations after Privatization with Special Reference to the Estate Laborers in the Ratnapura District Kodithuwakku, K; Priyanath, H.M.S This paper attempts to discuss the reasons for the improvement of labor productivity after the privatization. This study mainly based on the primary data gathered from the laborers employed in tea estates in the Ratnapura district in Sri Lanka. 120 of laborers are selected representing 40 laborers from 03 privatized estates situated in the Ratnapura District. Data was mainly collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed qualitatively and quantitative techniques. The study reveals that the financial benefits i.e. salary, allowances, salary increments, overtime and loan facilities and non-financial facilitieswelfare facilities like housing, education, health, daycare centers, transport, electricity etc. provided by the management company for laborers are highly affected to the improvement of labor productivity through the increase of labor satisfaction. Labor satisfaction regarding financial and non-financial benefits was relatively very high. On the other hand, strict management and application of new technology for the factories affect the improvement of labor productivity. Finally, it can be concluded that the labor productivity in tea plantation sector has improved after privatization due to the improvement of labor satisfaction, strict management and application of new techniques of the private companies. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/799 An End-user Application Programme for Surveying and Computer Aided Drafting (SCAD 2006) Udagepola, K. P; Wijeratne, A.W; Xiang, Li; Yang, Xiaozong Due to increasing use of land surveying practices along with technology advancements, a necessity for appropriate tools for task accomplishment has been occurred. A computer application program has been developed to make land surveying applications into a single user-friendly desktop operation to reduce the complexity of the surveying work. In the developed software (SCAD2006) the processing in outline and by the nature of snapshot provides a static view of activities. SCAD2006 acts as a bridge between raw data and digital maps because it provides required tools for digitalization. It benefits professional land surveyors in developing countries for efficient completion of mapping tasks. The pilot study revealed that 52% of Sri Lankan land surveyors are currently using this software, which indicates the practicability of it within a short period of time. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z