Browsing by Author "De Silva, DAM"

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Avocados crossing borders: logistics and transportation issues in avocado supply chain in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Senevirathne, MMSC; De Silva, DAM; Gunaruwan, TL
This study mainly attempts the logistics and transportation issues in avocado supply chain in Sri Lanka. Data collection was done in the main Avocado growing areas; Matale, Kandy, Badulla, Bandarawela and Gampaha Districts in Sri Lanka representing 30% avocado growers and 70% intermediaries. The Sri Lankan Avocado production is mainly relied on home gardening and distinguished by wide varieties in avocado cultivars. According to the result of the study the main logistics and transportation issues were identified as inappropriate harvesting practices, packing, postharvest management, temperature management, inappropriate transportation, and storage conditions. The study suggests reducing the logistics and transportation problems through introducing commercial cultivation and increasing technologies for harvesting, storing, packaging and transportation. Furthermore, the study suggests developing a commercial verity as "Hash" in order to gain entry into the international market. To reduce avocado post-harvest losses, it is suggested to invest into value addition products like avocado oil and researches. Most crucially, the study highlights the necessity for greater government attention on Avocado supply chain development.
item: Conference-Full-text
By catch, depredation & authenticity of tuna value chain
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Liyanage, U; Bandara, AMSMRSG; De Silva, DAM; Gunaruwan, TL
Tuna long liners play a very important role in the export-oriented fisheries sector in Sri Lanka while contributing a reasonable foreign income to the country. Hence, the objectives of the study were to investigate the issues of by-catch, depredation, and authenticity of the export-oriented tuna value chain while exploring the transport and logistics issues of tuna supplies and to propose strategies to overcome the issues identified. Primary data was collected from fishers in two fisheries harbors, Dikkowita and Gandara, in the Western and Southern provinces, respectively. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire was administered to the fishermen who used to fish in the high seas and the Exclusive Economic Zone. Boat owners or crew members of multiday fishing boats (IMUL) were interviewed monthly, covering 20% of the boats in each harbor. The depredation index was 15.60, with an attack interval of 3.46 and a damage rate of 0.29. Issues such as depredation of attached hooks or bait, hooking of unwanted catch, dissolving of fish schools, wastage of time, fuel, and energy, and loss of moral strength among fishers were recorded. The unwanted by-catch, such as sea turtles, sharks, seabirds, and sailfish, reduced the harvest, while these non-targeted damages adversely impacted marine life. As suggested solutions to overcome the issues, dolphin pingers could be used to repel the harmful cetacean species, the crew members could be trained for cetacean identification and record keeping, and satellite tagging could be used to closely monitor the predatory species.
item: Conference-Full-text
Food logistics: a study on lobster fisheries, Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2022-08) Basnayake, RL; De Silva, DAM; Ekanayake, S; Liyanage, U; Perera, N; Thibbotuwawa, A
Food logistics is playing a vital role because of the importance of on-time delivery with minimum or no food waste since the majority of food products have a very short shelf-life. Lobster fishery is one of the most economically important marine coastal fishing activities, since it is a good source of foreign exchange. This study carried to studying of the current logistics practices in lobster fisheries, to identify the loopholes in the current logistics system and to recommend strategies to improve the system. Interviewer administrated questionnaires, in-depth interviews were facilitated to collect required data from 30 fishermen, 05 collectors and 03 exporters. The results revealed that, the supply chain of lobsters is consists with fishermen, collector, distributor and exporter or local hotels and the inbound freight management is in very poor level with zero traceability from upstream to downstream. while outbound logistics are more concerning on keeping product quality since, the end product is exporting as live animals. Introducing proper cages to handle the animals, training on importance of proper inbound logistics management and further, precise planning, execution, and efficient monitoring to effectively manage the movement of lobster from sea to plate with minimum wastage.
item: Conference-Full-text
Good teas cannot be produced from badly handled leaf: role of transport and logistics on green leaf supply chain
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Jayasinghe, MAEK; De Silva, DAM; Gunaruwan, TL
The final quality of tea depends basically on the chemical composition of raw tea leaves. Different types of chemical reactions occur in the fresh leaves after harvesting, such as sugar compounds are decomposed with the respiration process and release a high amount of heat and leading to degrade. This study focused to identify quantity and quality loss of green leaf supply chain, find out socio – economic issues of not following standard operating procedures recommended (SOPs) and good practices, lessons learnt from field. This study is based on primary data collected through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews with key supply chain actors, non-participatory observations of tea lands, collecting centers, various marketplaces, processing factories, export processing firms and institutions of the enabling environment of the agricultural value and supply chains in Badulla, Kandy, Matale, Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts. The results revealed that the quantity and quality losses of green leaf supply may occur from plucking, bagging, collecting, transportation, bad weather and type of plucker (trained or untrained). During the rush cropping periods post-harvest losses may increase due to the inadequate labor for plucking and operations, Inadequate leaf bags for managing large tea leaf volumes, and inadequate leaf transport facilities and it leads to increase the quality and quantity losses of green leaf supply chain. Inadequate labor is a significant issue in the tea sector, and the failure to follow recommended SOPs results in low-quality tea leaves. Consequently, this leads to marketability issues, low wages, health and safety problems, inadequate sanitation, and poverty etc. This study recommends to maintain good communication and productive relationships among all parties of the supply chain, supplying better technology, value-adding through product upgrading to minimize the economic losses.
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Multiple disruptions on vegetable supply chain: a case of rural transport and logistics
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2022-08) Hansika, ST; Wickramarathne, IM; Sandamith, WM; De Silva, DAM; Perera, N; Thibbotuwawa, A
Vegetable supply chains are vital for food, nutrition, and economic wellbeing of the rural communities of the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Rural transport and road networks are playing a significant role in connecting farmers to distinct markets. The performance of highly perishable agricultural produce depends on the nature and structure of the rural transport system. The study aimed to explore the role of rural transport and logistics on the vegetable supply chain, find out the supply chain disruptions derived from rural transport and logistics systems, and propose mitigation measures to manage the supply chain disruptions. Participatory approaches were used to explore the status of the rural transport and logistics systems while focus group discussions with vegetable supply chain actors of Boralanda, Bogahakumbura, Wangiyakumbura, Kepettipola, Welimada, and Nuwara Eliya provided the primary data requirements. Road networks connecting urban centers and cities are well established but road networks of rural mountain areas are underdeveloped and non-motorized transport modes are common. Postharvest losses are very high and farmers receive marginal returns. Rural road infrastructure will facilitate outside traders to collect the fresh produce from mountain areas and operations are not economically feasible. Quality of road network and available mode of transport influences vehicle operating costs, transit times, and other factors affecting the turn-around of services and therefore their profitability.
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Roads to the international market through rural transport and logistics in the pepper industry in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2022-08) Senevirathne, S; Hansika, ST; De Silva, DAM; Perera, N; Thibbotuwawa, A
Rural transportation and logistics play a vital role in determining the quality of any agricultural commodities and not are exceptional to pepper. Assess, the availability and affordability of appropriate transport facilities and logistics are essential elements to reaching the geographically distinct export market. This paper aimed to identify the present status of rural logistics and transport and issues that hinder the market access of the black pepper supply chain and develop participatory mitigating strategies to overcome the challenges. A mixed-method approach was adopted to collect qualitative and quantitative data in major pepper growing districts in Sri Lanka. Results revealed that insufficient drying, threshing, and storage facilities lead to quantity, quality, and economic losses to the small-scale pepper farmers. Moreover, the less-developed road systems, high transportation costs especially due to the rapidly increasing fuel cost, improper packing materials, and poor storage facilities also poor compliance on safety and safety levels limit the earnings. In addition, lack of knowledge on safety and quality standards, and lack of literacy in marketing attributed to the farmers to still following the traditional methods in the production process (improper traditional primary processing). Results suggest implementing cluster processing centers for threshing, drying, and storing dried pepper and highlighted the need for the establishment of community-managed sun-drying yards. Further, developing rural road systems, and disseminating the knowledge on safety and quality standards of the pepper to the farmers were also identified as important strategies to overcome the existing challenges related to logistics and transportation.
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Traditional confectionary industry prospect and logistic challenges
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Biyagama, KK; Wijesekara, KS; De Silva, DAM; Gunaruwan, TL
The traditional confectionery industry has been around for centuries and remains a popular industry with a promising future. According to Statista market insight, revenue in the Confectionery market amounts to US$2.63bn in 2023. The market is expected to grow annually by 11.84% (CAGR 2023-2028). This study aimed to explore the traditional confectionary industry in Sri Lanka to find out the impact of logistic and transport challenges of traditional confectionary industry. Such as supply chain disrupt decline production volume, shortages of raw materials, and difficulties in transporting goods due to high fuel cost, storage and warehousing challenges due to lack of resources with import barriers. Market ethnography was performed to investigate the typology of confectionary makers, status of marketing mix elements, consumer attitudes and behaviors on traditional confectionaries and logistic challenges. Quantitative literature analysis explored the prospects and logistic challenges facing the traditional confectionery industry. The findings indicate that the traditional confectionary industry in Sri Lanka has promising prospects due to increasing demand from both domestic and overseas ethnic markets. The industry faces several logistic challenges, including maintain safety and quality standards, packaging solutions, trained confectionary makers, access to ingredients, high cost of production, inadequate transportation infrastructure, lack of cold storage facilities, and poor retailer support. Positive consumer trend, health concerns, area wise consumer base and pricing strategies were identified as industry prospects. Product and process innovations and improvement was highlighted as an essential sector for the industry sustainability.
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Transparency and authenticity of banana value chain
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2022-08) Dinesha, OGR; De Silva, DAM; Perera, N; Thibbotuwawa, A
Banana, a common fruit delicacy among most of the Sri Lankan and the fruit represent all cultural events across diverse ethnicities. Large variety of desert and cooking types banana add diversity to local meals in terms of nutrition and taste. Banana is one of the min sub sector of rural agricultural economy. Key concerns of the study were to map banana value chain in order to identify the key players, functions, architecture along the chain and recognize the existing transparency and credibility within Banana chain. Three banana producing area in Polonnaruwa district and four key banana types (Ambul, Sugar, Kolikuttu, and Cavendish) were considered for the study. Structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and participatory observations were used to collect data from the actors along the chain. Data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Results revealed that conventional and peculiar actors such as input suppliers, producers, farm-gate transporters, wholesalers, processors, retailers, and consumers. Banana value chains are twofold; short regional chains and complex and lengthier export oriented chains. Fragile and scattered regional value chains contain poor transparency system and lack of authenticity significantly affect on customer care. In contrast, few large scale producers were used labels or QR codes and chain wide transparency fulfill the export market requirements. Those revealed producer details, origin, claim on safety and quality standards and certification. The study recommends intervention in the area of linking actors in the value chain to improve transparency and authenticity.
item: Conference-Full-text
Transparency and authenticity of high value sea food: case study in lobster supply chain of south coast of Sri-Lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2022-08) Bandara, AMSMRSG; De Silva, DAM; Perera, N; Thibbotuwawa, A
The objectives of this study are to find out the status of the transparency and the authenticity of the lobster value chain and to find out the impact of logistics supplies on value chain transparency and to propose a smart value chain to bridge the gaps in transparency and authenticity. The study was conducted in the first quarter of 2022 on the southern coast of Sri Lanka covering the lobster fisheries in Matara and Galle districts. The snowball sampling technique was instrumental in gathering the sample. Primary data for the study was collected through focus group discussions, and non-participatory observation. Data had been collected from 26 supply chain actors (20 fishermen, 05 collectors, and 01 agent of exporter). Results revealed that the exporter studied in the supply chain was a price setter while the fishermen at the initial node of the supply chain were the price takers. The fishermen lacked information connectivity (i.e., market price for local market and export) among the lobster catching sites of the island making fishermen poor bargainers. The supply chain lacks a two-way information flow from one node to the other. Fragile supply chain and information asymmetry badly affect ethical income distribution along the chain. Poor postharvest handling and safety and quality management reduce the returns to upstream actors. Lack of transparency on fishing grounds, fishermen, and logistic suppliers limits the entry point of high-end markets on one hand. On the other hand, this has positively affected stock depletion. Lack of supply chain transparency and authenticity encourages Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) lobster fishing.
item: Conference-Full-text
Transparency and authenticity of mango supply chain
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Madumalka, HWK; Sandamith, WM; De Silva, DAM; Gunaruwan, TL
The mango industry faces challenges due to the perishability of fruits, seasonality, and high demand in processing and fresh fruit markets. To ensure product authenticity, tracing methods are crucial. This study examines the existing traceability system and authenticity while identifying logistics gaps in the mango supply chain. Research focused to develop a block chain-based method to enhance quality, safety authenticity and returns of mango value chain. Primary data collection comprised of environmental scanning, institutional analysis, and participatory approaches. 74 respondents mango value chain included into the sample. Qualitative tools and descriptive statistics were utilized to assess traceability. Results showed that export-oriented mango value chains, especially TJC mangoes, maintained safety, quality standards, and traceability. However, fresh mangoes for local markets and processing lacked similar measures. Poor postharvest management and contamination issues, notably with ripening agents, significantly impacted the safety and quality of the fruits. Exporters demonstrated tracing capabilities up to the collection agency level using stickers with quality information. Common logistics issues included limited awareness among value chain actors, poor communication between nodes, and information asymmetry were key barriers. This study underscores the need to improve traceability, safety, and quality standards in the mango supply chain. Implementing block chain technology could address these challenges and enhance efficiency, transparency, and trust throughout the industry, benefiting all stakeholders.