Adoption of Solid Waste Compost in Paddy Farming: Insights from Sri Lanka’s Organic Farming Policy

The utilization of Solid Waste Compost (SWC) as an organic fertilizer (OF) in agriculture has garnered significant attention in recent years due to growing concerns about worsening waste management issues. This empirical study investigates paddy farmers’ perceptions of SWC under Sri Lanka’s organic farming policy and uniquely addresses its underexploited potential as an organic fertilizer. Data were collected from 254 respondents in the Attanagalla Divisional Secretariat Division via a structured questionnaire. Nine key performance indicators were established to evaluate SWC against other organic fertilizers considered for the study. Findings revealed that meeting the ‘required quantity’ OF was the most challenging aspect (91%) for organic paddy cultivation, while only 14.2% of paddy farmers were able to utilize SWC for paddy fields due to limited availability. Farmers appreciated SWC as the most effective in balancing pest–predator interactions, even surpassing straw; however, its availability lagged compared to alternatives such as straw. Farmers expressed a higher likelihood of adopting SWC if it met government certification standards. The findings conclude that, while increasing production of SWC could enhance its role as an organic fertilizer in paddy farming, achieving its quality standards for paddy farming through government standard certification is crucial for successful implementation.