DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2017.v04i06.004

Pages: 236-239

Abstract: This study was designed to determine the Mechanization Index (MI) of different up county vegetable crop cultivation in Bandarawela Divisional Secretariat(DS) division. The study was conducted using a sample of 100 farmers in five major vegetable cultivation GN divisions of Bandarawela DS division. Stratified random sampling technique was used to draw the sample. A pre-tested structured questionnaire, personal interviews and discussion with key informants were the methods used to collect the primary data. Secondary data were obtained from relevant articles, government centers and key organizations. Data was analyzed using statistical software of SPSS 19.0. Socioeconomic characteristics of vegetable cultivators, production and cultivation details, mechanization of vegetable cultivation, labour and machinery use hours were studied. The highest MI was determined as 2.29% for cabbage cultivation and low MI was obtained as 0.5% for tomato cultivation followed by which 1.44% for bean, 2.1% for carrot and 1.97% for potato cultivation which represents a relatively undesirable state of mechanization for vegetable cultivation in this region. The highest power per unit area was 1.12 hp/ha in cabbage cultivation and it was 0.72 hp/ha in potato cultivation, 0.97 hp/ha for beans, 1.02 hp/ha for carrot and 1.09 hp/ha for tomato cultivation.