Original article | Open Access
International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research 2024, Vol. 8(2) 145-158
pp. 145 - 158 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiaar.2024.1049.8
Published online: June 30, 2024 | Number of Views: 22 | Number of Download: 86
Abstract
The demand for organic products has led to remarkable growth in Sri Lanka's organic tea industry. However, sustaining the organic farming system during the current economic crisis presents a challenge. This study aims to assess the factors that influence the effectiveness of the Marginalized Organic Producers Model for the sustainability of the agribusiness supply chain of Bio Foods (Pvt) Ltd by employing a qualitative approach for examining farmers' perceptions. The study evaluates farmers' perceptions of effectiveness through an index score encompassing satisfaction, relativeness, impact, efficiency, and sustainability. Data on socio-economic status, environmental sustainability, institutional involvement, farmers' compliance, and economic viability were collected by conducting a field survey and focus group discussions conducted among bio tea farmers attached to the green tea leaves supply chain of Avonleahill Organic & Biodynamic Tea factory at Diyathalawa, Sri Lanka. The questionnaire instrument was validated by pretesting and applying reliability and normality tests. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were conducted to establish relationships among variables. The reliability analysis results indicated that the survey instrument used in this study demonstrated acceptable levels of reliability, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients exceeding 0.8 for all variables, confirming that the collected data were consistent and reliable for further analysis. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between variables such as educational status, experience in organic tea farming, environmental sustainability, institutional involvement, compliance of farmers, and economic viability with farmer satisfaction with the organization. Conversely, age and gender showed weak negative relationships with farmer satisfaction. The regression model for effectiveness demonstrated a strong relationship between the predictors and the dependent variable. The model accounted for approximately 88.6% of the variance in qualitative effectiveness, as indicated by the high adjusted R-squared value of 0.871. The overall model was statistically significant, as evidenced by the significant F-change statistic (F = 61.946, p < 0.001), suggesting that at least one predictor significantly influenced the qualitative effectiveness. The Durbin-Watson value of 1.606 confirmed the absence of substantial autocorrelation in the residuals, meeting the independence assumption. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the factors that contribute to the qualitative effectiveness of organic tea farmer organizations. These insights are very useful for policymakers, organizations, and farmers in developing strategies to enhance the effectiveness and success of these organizations, ultimately leading to the growth and sustainability of the organic tea industry in Sri Lanka.
Keywords: Organic Tea, Farmer Organizations, Qualitative Effectiveness, Biodynamic, Sustainable, Extension
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