The Typology of Tea Smallholding Development Societies: Assessing Their Multifunctional Approach in Badulla District of Sri Lanka

The Farmer-based organizations (FBO) have mechanisms to address the  collective issues of farmers. In the present socio-economic  context, the traditional approaches adopted by the FBOs to empower the farmers have been challenged by internal and extern al dynamics. The ‘Multipurpose Service Approach’ has been  proposed to address the broader needs of farmers. Tea Small Holding Development Societies (TSDS) were establishe d to work on the wellbeing of the tea smallholders. This study sought to identify the various activities carried out by TSDS in the Badulla district and classify TSDS based on adherence  to the Multifunctional service approach. Data were collected from twenty-one TSDS using structured interviews, selected by stratified random sampling technique. TSDSs' participatio n in the identified twelve activities was assessed using a 0-10 score method. Data were analyzed descriptively, using signs , the Man-Whitney test, and cluster analysis. TSDS in the Badulla district showed a different level of execution of multifunctions. When considering production support packages, the supply of inputs was at a satisfactory level (Score 6) in the  majority of TSDS. However, the role of the organization in linking the extension service with the members was not sa tisfactory. The provision of loans and other financial services wa s poor. Market-oriented activities were kept to a minimum. There was a lack of policy dialogue within the organizatio n. Based on the variability of the practicing of multifunc tional service approach, six clusters could be identified, including one with almost dormant TSDSs in many of the activities considered. Five other clusters had varying levels of engagement in different functions on certain aspects. The overall multifunctional service approach performances of TSDS were not satisfactory.