Browsing by Author "Paranavitana, C."

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    Aggregate demand for fertilizer in the coconut industry in Sri Lanka
    (NARESA:Colombo, 1982) Paranavitana, C.
    This study attempts to identify the major determinants of fertilizer consumption in the coconut industry in Sri Lanka.The author identifies two groups of cultivators;namely,small holders (those who own less than 20 acres)and estates(those who own 20 acres or more).It is argued that each group of cultivators pursues its own objectives with respect to input-use and production.Estates are expected to be mainly profitoriented whereas small holders are mainly consumption-oriented.The author constructs a simple model to explain fertilizer consumption of each group and estimates the parameters of the model,using time series data for the 1956-75 period.According to the results obtained,there is empirical evidence to support that each group reacts to bad weather spells,prices and level of produce in the same direction,but with different intensities.The author also finds that the price elasticities of demand for fertilizer are in the range of 0.4 to 0.7 and output elasticities with respect to fertilizer consumption in range of 0.8 to 0.9.
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    Producer's response to fertilizer subsidies - the experience in the coconut industry
    (NARESA:Colombo, 1983) Paranavitana, C.
    The author examines the initial response and actual fertilizer consumption patterns of coconut growers under the government's Fertilizer Subsidy Schemes for the 1956-78 period and finds that the scheme failed to arrest the declining trend in fertilizer use during the 1970s.With the aid of several cross-section studies,the author identifies a number of reasons for low response to the scheme.They are namely:bad weather spells,increasing dominance of the small-holder in the industry,lagged response of the authorities to large price increases,poor distribution network,and the failure of government extension services.The author argues that a comprehensive policy embracing subsidies,easy credit,efficient distribution of fertilizer and better extension services should have replaced the subsidy only policy.