BARRIERS AND DRIVERS FOR ADOPTING THE CHEMICAL LEASING CONCEPT TOWARD SUSTAINABLE VEGETABLE FARMING IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

The heavy use of synthetic agrochemicals is a common feature of vegetable farming. This excessive use of agrochemicals underlies fundamental problems related to health degradation, higher vegetable production costs, and environmental damage. The Chemical Leasing Concept (CLC) is based on the premise that it can enable users to reduce the costs associated with high chemical use, reduce environmental and health harms, and curb chemical overuse. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the barriers and drivers to the adoption of the Chemical Leasing Concept. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, and data were collected from 30 full-time, medium-scale vegetable farmers. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative data and the Participatory Ranking Method (PRM) for quantitative data. The findings confirmed that the most significant barriers included: (1) farmers’ unawareness of Chemical Leasing, (2) doubt about the practicality of the Chemical Leasing concept, (3) uncertain weather and climate conditions, (4) Chemical Leasing being viewed as a risk, (5) a lack of norms, standards, and frameworks to implement Chemical Leasing, and (6) soil infertility. In contrast, the most significant drivers identified were: (1) saving farmers’ time through convenience, (2) providing a solution to agrochemical shortages, (3) avoiding the import and use of inferior agrochemicals, (4) reducing costs and increasing profits, (5) producing healthier products, and (6) access to expert knowledge. Further, awareness campaigns, trust-building initiatives, and financial risk management schemes were recommended to overcome the identified barriers