Factors Affecting for the Diversity of Agro – Crops in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka; A Case Study at Siyambalanduwa D.S.D

Abstract

Agro - Crop diversity is the variance in genetic and phenotypic characteristics of plants used in agriculture. This research paper examine the factors affecting for the diversity of agro crops in agro ecological zones in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted in an ecological approach by using both qualitative and quantitative data. The data were collected through questionnaires, structured and unstructured interviews, books, magazines, online resources and 1.50000 digital maps. The sample of the study was Samanalabedda GND in Siyabalanduwa DSD in Monaragala district. DL 1 b Agro Ecological Zone was selected as the study area because it is the most widespread agro ecological zone in Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat Division and also in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Fifty farm families were selected through random sampling system for this study which represents 20% from the whole study area. The collected data were analyzed through the correlation coefficient and GIS. The variety of agro-crops in the study area is due to subsidies, ease of maintenance, increasing the education level of the farmers, increasing the number of family members, good yields and a good market. There is a 0.75 positive correlation between the number of family members and the quantity of cultivated crops. The study found that subsidizing the farmers in the area has resulted in a greater diversity of agricultural crops in the area. Due to the introduction of new crops in this area, crops such as cocoa, rubber and wallapatta are easy to maintain and have a high income. Accordingly, it was clear that DL 1b of DSD in Siyambalanduwa was influenced by a number of factors contributing to the diversity of agro-crops in the agro-ecological Zone.