Browsing by Author "Esham, M."

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Developing and Strengthening Farmer-Agribusiness Models in Sri Lanka: Lessons from Agriculture Cooperatives in Japan
(2011) Esham, M.; Kobayashi, H.; Matsumura, I.; Alam, A.
In a small farmer dominated agrarian economy like Sri Lanka, farmer based organizations (FBOs) and collective action are often seen as key factors in enhancing farmers? access to markets. Therefore, developing and strengthening FBOs consisting of farmer companies and farmer organization are important to ensure effective farmer participation in agrifood supply chains. In this paper, an attempt is made to draw from long accumulated experiences of Japanese agriculture cooperatives to develop and strengthen FBOs in Sri Lanka. Some key recommendations for FBOs in Sri Lanka arising from this study include setting up of federated structures, formation of farmer groups to capitalize on collective action, practice joint use in terms of purchasing, marketing, credit, machinery and facilities use and adoption of an integrated service provision model.
Entrepreneurial success of small scale floriculture entrepreneurs: A tool for rural empowerment
(4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Kiriveldeniya, K. K. A.; Sivashankar, P.; Elapata, M. S.; Mahaliyanaarachchi, R. P.; Esham, M.
Floriculture industry shows a significant potential to improve and modernize the agriculture sector through diversification, commercialization and value addition. By encouraging villagers to engage in floriculture related agribusinesses is a solution to overcome the rural poverty by transforming traditional farming into profitable ventures. Floriculture businesses provide such avenues for livelihood improvements through entrepreneurship. The purpose of the study is to measure the success of small scale floriculture ventures in Imbulpe DS division of Rathnapura district which is one of the major floriculture growing regions in Sri Lanka. Success was measured through Entrepreneurial Success Index using eight dimensions of entrepreneurial success. A mixed method was adapted, primarily through a quantitative study with the use of a structured questionnaire along with key in-depth interviews. An Entrepreneurial Success Index (ESI) was developed and chi-square and correlation tests were used for the analysis. The results indicated that the average ESI score was 0.57 and 38% of the sample indicated it is a very successful avenue. Diversification (0.78), profitability (0.68), social recognition (0.61) were the dimensions that had the highest mean values and quality of supply or service (0.56), employee (0.27) and customer (0.45) satisfaction had lower mean values. Time spent on activities, labour usage, and income were significantly different based on whether floriculture is a primary business or secondary business. Age revealed a significant positive correlation with ESI scores compared to other socio economic dimensions. Since floriculture has a good potential to earn a sufficient income, this can be effectively used in uplifting and empowering rural people especially women. The findings can even be generalized to the small scale floriculture businesses and with a better sample coverage, it can be extended to any medium to large scale agribusinesses too.
Sustainability of rice production: A Malaysian perspective
(Agricultural Sciences, 2007) Najim, M.M.M.; Lee, T.S.; Haque, M.A.; Esham, M.
As Asian rice demand is projected to increase by 30% in 2010, a sustainable approach of rice production has become important. In order to fulfill the rice demand for the growing population and with the target rice self-sufficiency of 65%,Malaysia has to increase its rice productivity. As the attainment of sustainability in rice farming is country and area specific, Malaysia has devised its own ways to achieve this goal within a prescribed time frame. The major problems faced by the rice sector have been identified and step-by-step solutions are sought through policy changes. Rice estates in Malaysia have already proven that commercial rice production is viable, economical and sustainable. FELCRA Seberang Perak, the first and largest rice estate in Malaysia, has proven the sustainability and viability of commercial rice farming by achieving a continuous cropping intensity of 200%. The keywords to sustainable rice production are doubling yields, estatization and private corporate sector investments. The strategies to be devised must include getting investments to make the present non-lucrative business a profitable venture, whilst balancing the country?s social obligation.