Abstract:
The rural economy is the unit that pursues allied occupations for an
agricultural lifestyle. Sri Lanka’s curd industry is considered as a primary
sector industry that uses traditional agro techniques. It is one of the most
famous agricultural activities in the rural sector in Sri Lanka. Nowadays, the
dairy industry, which is a major agricultural activity of the people in rural areas
of Sri Lanka, is facing a major problem. This situation can be seen because of
the industrial skills. The research mainly identified challenges that occurred in
the curd industry. As the study area, the researcher chose two GND from the
Thissamaharama DSD. Fifty milk producers have been selected as the sample
population covering Thissamaharama and Weerawila GND. The researcher
analysed the quantitative and qualitative data obtained. Based on the data
analysed, the curd industry was found to be discouraged and challenged by
industry problems such as the use of primary technology, irregular
transportation, and manufacturers’ lack of knowledge of the industry and
market dynamics, and minimal manufacturing facilities. To solve these issues
researcher identified several solutions. Those are, getting advises from
national dairy experts to provide the farmers with the necessary industry
training and education, the systematic measures to promote the product market
and the improvement of the milk processing facilities.
