Abstract
Agricultural products move through several channels before reaching the final consumers. The collection process of vegetable must be effective and efficient to avoid losses in the supply chain of vegetables. The Dambulla Dedicated Economic Center (DDEC) is considered as the main hub of vegetable and fruit distribution in Sri Lanka. The objective of this research is to analyze the role of DDEC in collection of vegetables in Sri Lanka and explore whether the center meets the best practices of vegetable collection. Transportation, packing and packaging, role of middlemen, and training and knowledge on vegetable collection process were reviewed. Data were collected using a semi structured questioner from 70 farmers linked to the DDEC. High level of quality degradation, poor packing and packaging, lack of knowledge and training on collection, and inefficient role of middlemen were identified as the main issues related to the vegetable collection process of DDEC in Sri Lanka.
Keywords
References
- Ayalew, Y., 2015. Factors Affecting Fruit Supply in the Market: The Case of Habru Woerda,North Wollo, Ethiopia. European Journal of Business and Management, 7(4), xx-xx.Google Scholar ↗
- Bhalla, G., 2000. Evaluation of Infrastructural Interventions for Rural Poverty Alleviation, Bangkok: UNESCAP.Google Scholar ↗
- CBSL, 2020. Central Bank annual report 2020, Colombo: Central Bank of Sri Lanka.Google Scholar ↗
- Chen, K., Shepherd, A. & Silva, C., 2005. Changes in Food Retailing in Asia; Implications of Supermarket Procurement Practices for Farmers and Traditional Marketing Systems. Agricultural Management.Google Scholar ↗
- GoK, 2003. Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment creation 2003-2007, Nairobi: Government of Kenya.Google Scholar ↗
- Gunatilake,G., M. Perera, R.A.M.C. Wanigaratne, R.E. Fernando, W.D. Lakshman, J.K.M.D. Chandrasiri and R.D. Wanigaratne. (1992). Rural Poverty in Sri Lanka: Priority Issues and Policy Measures. Asian Development Review.10.Google Scholar ↗
- HARTI, 2005. A study on marketing on selected fruits in Sri Lanka., Colombo: Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute.Google Scholar ↗
- Pudasaini, S. P., 1983. The Effects of Education in Agriculture: Evidence from Nepal, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 65(3), 509-515.Google Scholar ↗
- Raisuddin, A. & Hossain, M., 1990. Developmental Impact of Rural Infrastructure in Bangladesh. Research Report, Bangladesh: International Food Policy Research Institute.Google Scholar ↗
- Sandika, A., 2011. Impact of Middlemen on Vegetable Marketing Channels in Sri Lanka.Google Scholar ↗
- Saurav, N. & Neeraj, A., 2015. Issues and Challenges in The Supply Chain of Fruits & Vegetables Sector in India: A Review. International Journal of Managing Value and Supply Chains, 6(2)Google Scholar ↗
- Serem, A., 2010. Challenges in production and marketing of mangoes in Kenya. HCDA.Google Scholar ↗
- The World Bank., 1996. Morocco-Socioeconomic Influence of Rural Roads: Fourth Highway Project, Operations Evaluation Department.Google Scholar ↗
- Torbjorn, A. & Bharat, P., 2012. Contribution of Rural Roads to Access to- and Participation in Markets: Theory and Results from Northern Ethiopia. Journal of Transportation Technologies, 165-174.Google Scholar ↗
- USAID, 2005. The Relationship of Third-party Certification (TPC) to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures and the International Agri-food, Final Report. Raise SPS Global Analytical Report no. 9.Google Scholar ↗
- Vidanapathirana, R., 2008. Marketing margins of the domestic vegetable trade in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Agrarian Studies, 12(2), 36-60.Google Scholar ↗
- Viswanadham, N., 2007. Can India be the food basket for the world? Working Paper series, Hyderabad.Google Scholar ↗