Abstract:
Paddy cultivation is a staple among the farming community in Sri Lanka, signihcantly
contribute to rural livelihood and food security. In Mathugama area of Kalutara District
farmers manage a substantial portion of paddy farming. However, many continue to
rely on traditional practices, which limit their productivity and sustainability. This
study aims to investigate the factors influencing the farmers adaptation to technology
in paddy farming focusing on socio-economic characteristics, perceived benefits and
barriers, and access to information. A total of 100 paddy farmers data was collected
through a quantitative survey. The analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27.0
electronic spread sheet program. Before data was transferred to SPSS, Excel was first
entered and then aggregated based on numerical order. Regression and ANOVA tests
performed to evaluate the relationships between variables such as Socio-Economic
Characteristics, Perceived Benefits, Barriers to Adoption, Access to Information and
Resources and Adoption of New Technologies. By the R Square (0.691) value, 69.1%
of the variation in the dependent variable is explained by the independent variables.
The results indicate that 82.5oh of respondents were male, with the majority (36.9%)
aged 41-60 years and possessing secondary-level education (59.2%). Most farmers
(37 .9%) had 11-20 years of experience, an,,139.8oA relied on paddy cultivation as their
primary income source. Regression analysis revealed that socio-economic
characteristics (p : 0.508, p : 0.000), perceived benefits (B: A.255, p : 0.007), and
access to information (B : 0.198, p : 0.021) significantly influenced technology
adoption, while barriers such as high costs and lack of technical support showed no
significant impact (p: 0.648). Farmers with larger landholdings and higher education
levels were more likely to adopt new technologies.
The study concludes that enhancing education, providing targeted financial support,
and improving access to training and resources are critical for increasing technology
adoption. Recommendations include subsidized equipment, participatory technology
development, and gender-sensitive policies to promote sustainable paddy farming.
These hndings contribute to strategies for improving agricultural productivity and
sustainability in Sri Lank
