Maize Cultivation and Adoption of Weed Management Technologies in Sri Lanka's North Central Province

Maize is the second most widely cultivated cereal in Sri Lanka. A field survey conducted from 2021 to 2022 assessed the present status and explored possibilities of increasing maize production in the North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered (n=56) together with farmer field observations (n=28), key informant interviews (KII; n=10), focus group discussions (FGD; n=5), and monitoring of selected farmer fields and practices at bi-weekly intervals (n=3). Data were analyzed using chi-square test (P=0.05) and correlation analysis using SAS statistical software. Two main maize -based cropping systems were identified in the NCP: rainfed upland maize monoculture (RUMM) and lowland paddy-based maize monoculture (LPMM). Crop-animal integration was reported by 21% of respondents bringing mutual benefits for both components. Approximately 61% of respondents were large-scale maize growers ( 2 to 10 ha) with mechanization and about 68% were full-time maize farmers who mostly used family labour. The net return from maize farming ranged from US$ 383 to 1,000 per ha. Younger maize farmers were found to be more educated than the elderly, however, there was a lower tendency for the younger generation to enter maize farming. Weeds are the main biological constraint for maize production with competitive weed species including Megathyrsus maximus, Cyperus rotundus, Lantana camara, Ocimumsa nctum and Euphorbia heterophylla. Large-scale maize farmers used four-wheel tractors with land preparati on implements for pre-plant weed control. The herbicides, Topramezone and Nicosulfuron were commonly used for post -plant weed control while small-scale farmers relied on manual methods and the same herbicides. Of the respondents , 23% used tank-mixed herbicides (cocktail mixtures); however, successful weed control was achieved without them. Moreover, 40% of respondents had access to herbicides not-registered in Sri Lanka. Results indicated that the import-ban on agrochemicals for seven months in 2021 led to the use of smuggled products.