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International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research 2026, Vol 10(1) 1-20

Evaluating the Adoption of Good Leaf Quality Standards (GLQS) Practices on Reducing Post-Harvest Damage in the Green Tea Leaf Supply Chain: Challenges and Strategies for Enhanced Adoption in Badulla District

M.k.s.l.d. Amarathunga • E.M.I.D. Shamika • Pamodaya Kumarasingha
Cite this article
Article Type
Research article
Publication Date
September 30, 2026
Pages
1-20
DOI
10.29329/ijiaar.2026.1423.23

Abstract

This study examines the adoption of Green Leaf Quality Standard (GLQS) practices to reduce post-harvest damage in the green tea leaf supply chain in the Badulla district, emphasizing the importance of leaf quality in tea production. The study also identified the level of post-harvest damages at different stages and addressed challenges in their adoption. Employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, the cross-sectional study collected data from observations, interviews, and surveys across 30 tea factories, targeting pluckers, smallholders, dealers, and factory officers through multistage stratified sampling. Results indicate that the highest adoption of GLQS practices occurs among factory officers (22.84%) and smallholders (22.77%), while dealers and pluckers demonstrated moderate to lower levels at 21.57% and 20.75%, respectively. The results confirmed that the percentage of leaf damage (below the best percentage) remained consistent across the points measured: it was 2.16% from the first to the second point, 22.68% from the second to the third point, and 4.9% from the third to the fourth point. Key barriers to GLQS adoption were identified as a lack of awareness, resistance to change, compliance costs, and limited resources. The multiple regression model revealed strong relationships between level of adoption GLQS and measured independent variables (demographic factors, attitude, exposure to extension services and training programs, supportive policies and regulations, and access to resources) with R-squared values of 0.881 for pluckers, 0.798 for smallholders, 0.968 for dealers, and 0.898 for factory officers. In conclusion, while factory officers lead in GLQS adoption, significant post-harvest losses persist, particularly during transportation. Recommendations include utilizing better-equipped transport, enhancing extension services, and implementing education and training programs to incentivize GLQS compliance and minimize post-harvest damage, thereby improving sustainability in the tea industry.

Keywords: Adoption Green Leaf Quality Standard (GLQS) Post-harvest Damage Green Leaf Supply Chain The Quality of Green Leaves
Cite this article
Amarathunga, M., Shamika, E., & Kumarasingha, P. (2026). Evaluating the Adoption of Good Leaf Quality Standards (GLQS) Practices on Reducing Post-Harvest Damage in the Green Tea Leaf Supply Chain: Challenges and Strategies for Enhanced Adoption in Badulla District. International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research, 10(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiaar.2026.1423.23

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