Farming Systems and Utilization of Environmental Resources in Rural Communities in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka Case Study in “Ritigala”, Anuradhapura District

A study on the Ritigala Strict Natural Reserve, part of Sri Lanka's UNESCO World Heritage Site Anuradhapura, reveals that the complexity of farming systems and geographical location significantly influence the utilization and value of environmental resources. The research identifies three distinct farming systems—paddy-vegetable-livestock being the most resource-intensive—and demonstrates a positive correlation between the complexity of these systems and both the quantity and economic value of environmental goods used, including consumption, input, output, and durable goods. Contribution to household income also aligns with system complexity, underscoring the critical role of environmental resources in rural livelihoods. The study employed a field survey of 120 participants across three villages using descriptive analytical methods.

Rupasinghe, R. D. C., Ginigaddara, G. A. S., & Wickramasinghe, Y. M. (2017). Farming Systems and Utilization of Environmental Resources in Rural Communities in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka Case Study in “Ritigala”, Anuradhapura District. Journal of Agricultural Sciences – Sri Lanka, 12(2), 76–83. https://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v12i2.8226