Abstract:
This study aimed to identiff the crop protection techniques practiced by vegetable
farmers in the Nuwara-Eliya district in Sri Lanka. This Study area covers five
Divisional secretariat division (DSD) of Nuwara-district. Such as Nuwara-Eliya,
Talawakelle, Ambagamuwa, Kotmale and Norwood. The research considered the crop
protection methods employed by farmers, their preferences while selecting, and the
challenges faced in crop protection practices. Data were collected through structured
questionnaire, the data includes socio-economic factors, farm characteristics, and crop
protection practices. Hundred and twenty vegetable farmers were selected for this
study. The frndings reveal that chemical methods are the most widely used by farmers
with their experience. Cultural practices like crop rotation and intercropping are
moderately adopted, while biological control and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
remain unused due to high costs, limited knowledge, ffid inadequate access to
resources. The study highlights significant challenges, including pest identification,
climate variability, and the high cost of sustainable altematives. It concludes that
vegetable farmers rely heavily on chemical inputs. The research suggested that there is
need for targeted interventions, such as training programs, subsidies for eco-friendly
inputs, and the promotion of IPM, to enhance the resilience and sustainability of
vegetable farming in Nuwara-Eliya.
