AN EVALUATION OF FARMERS? READINESS FOR TRANSITION TO MORE ORGANICS: AN EVALUATION OF FARMERS? READINESS FOR TRANSITION TO ORGANIC PRACTICES: EVIDENCE FROM MAHAWELI SYSTEM H, IN SRI LANKA

This research study aimed to evaluate farmers' potential for sustainable agriculture (SA) and its connection to their readiness for organic practices. The relevance of the research topic is underscored by the need to reassess a policy decision made by the government in 2021, which has significantly impacted the rice cultivation sector in the country. The model employed in this study has been conceptualized based on the principles of ecosystem resilience theory. This is a quantitative study and constructs, and indicators have been derived from an extensive literature review. A structured questionnaire, comprising 119 questions, was utilized for data collection among randomly selected farmers in 8 divisions of Mahaweli system H of Sri Lanka. The required sample size for the study was 380, and data analysis was performed using 386 samples. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) techniques was found to be most suitable for assessing this model. The study reveals that farmers' potential for SA is moderately strong in this rice cultivation region, positively influencing their readiness for application of organic practices.