The Typology of Tea Smallholding Development Societies: Assessing Their Multifunctional Approach in Badulla District of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Farmer-based organizations (FBO) have mechanisms to address the collective issues of farmers. In the present socio-economic context, the traditional approaches adopted by the FBOs to empower the farmers have been challenged by internal and external dynamic s. The ‘Multipurpose Service Approach’ has been proposed to address the broader needs of farmers. Tea Small Holding Development Societies (TSDS) were established to work on the wellbeing of the tea smallholders. This study sought to identify the various activities carried out by TSDS in the Badulla district and classify TSDS based on adherence to the Multifunctional service approach. Data were collected from twenty-one TSDS using structured interviews, selected by stratified random sampling technique. TSDSs' participation in the identified twelve activities was assessed using a 0-10 score method. Data were analyzed descriptively, using signs, the Man-Whitney