Farmers Adoption of New Technologies in Paddy Cultivation in Mathugama DS Division, Kalutara District

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