This study focused on analysing the consumer attitudes, demographic and economic factors that affecting fresh milk consumption among the mid-country consumers of Sri Lanka. Data were collected through a consumer survey conducted in Kandy district at randomly selected super markets, groceries, milk bars and retail shops. Factor analysis was carried out in order to weigh up the consumer attitudes and factor scores were introduced to the final model as independent variables which can be categorized as cost and usage, nutrition, sensory factors and availability. An ordered logistic regression was carried out to find out the relationships between number of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of consumers such as age, gender, level of education, income, size and composition of the household, ethnic group and presence of diseases that affect fresh milk consumption. Results from estimation of a ordered logistic regression model of consumption show age of the respondent, cost and usage related attitudinal factor and Nutrition related attitudinal factors are the key determinants of milk consumption levels; however, household monthly income, health problems affect on fresh milk consumption and level of education play a more important role in consumption. Finally, these findings suggest the marketing strategies which are most suitable to fit with the consumer expectations.

The objective of the study was to estimate the current level of technical efficiency and to identify the factors affecting technical efficiency of intercropped pineapple production in Kurunegala district. A questionnaire based survey was carried out to collect the data from eighty pineapple growers. The data were analyzed by using the stochastic frontier production function approach. The pineapple production was determined as a function of land extent, plant density, labour, fertilizer, agrochemicals and worth of assets. The land extent, plant density, labour and fertilizer had significant effect on pineapple production in Kurunegala district. The technical inefficiency was regressed as a function of season, age, education, number of family members, land, plant density, ownership, experience, occupation, off farm income and constraint index. The technical efficiency was significantly affected by season, ownership, experience, off farm income and a constraint index. The mean technical efficiency of pineapple production was eighty five percent. The study reveals that there is a possibility, for further increase of productivity.

Taking its overall importance to the economy, as a whole, including food and nutrition

Whilst being accountable for an increasing trend in mortality and morbidity, Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) has become a severe burden in Sri Lanka. Even though there is no sound evidence to clarify the aetiology of CKDu, it will be worthwhile to seek out the possible measures to minimize the prevalence of the disease. Hence, this study was intended to examine the impact of water treatment and preventive measures on CKDu. Data were collected from the farming community who applies agrochemicals. Both a probit and a Logit regression were carried out to check whether there is any relationship between CKDu and related variables such as consumption of treated water and adopting safety precautions. Results reveal that age, being a male, using deep wells as a source of drinking water, and long term medication increases the probability of getting the disease while, both preventive measures and water treatment significantly reduce this probability. Therefore, ensuring an adequate supply of treated water, especially for the severely affected villages is vital. Furthermore, both government and non-government institutions should work responsibly to increase the awareness of CKDu and safety precautions, in order to save the future generation.

This study uses data from rubber processing factories in Sri Lanka to identify the impact of informal regulation on environmental compliance. Unlike earlier studies, this study looks at three pollution measures; Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in a simultaneous analysis taking into account the potential correlation of the residuals if these equations are estimated separately. The results suggest that formal regulation play a minor role in making factories complying with environmental standards. However, there are significant gains to be made through informal regulation in this sector.