Field‐level constraints, research needs, and capacity‐building priorities in Sri Lanka's vegetable sector: A decadal review (2012–2023)

Abstract Addressing Sri Lanka's vegetable sector challenges requires recognizing farmers’ problems, extension staff training needs, and researchers’ priorities. This study analyzed Department of Agriculture reports (2012–2023) covering Yala and Maha seasons across all administrative divisions in Sri Lanka. In total, 462 field problems, 793 training needs, and 216 research requirements were documented. The frequency distribution within each category and the associations between variables were analyzed using Chi‐square tests. Results indicated that more field problems were reported during the Yala season (61.3%) than the Maha season (38.8%; p 0.05). Moreover, extension staff failed to identify >29% of the field problems reported, resulting in delays in their resolution. Most field problems were reported for bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), bitter gourd ( Momordica charanti a L.), brinjal ( Solanum melongena L.), and tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.). Bean, brinjal, cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz), and yard‐long bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc. showed more field problems during the Yala season ( p 0.05). Extension staff requested more training during Yala (62.2%) than during Maha (37.8%), with key focus areas including agronomy (36.5%), pest and disease management (29.1%), and soil and fertilizer management (26.1%). A greater number of research requirements also emerged during Yala (62.5%), particularly in the areas of pest and disease management (30.6%), soil and fertilizer management (26.8%), agronomy (21.7%), and crop breeding (20.4%). Overall, most field problems, training needs, and research requirements in Sri Lanka's vegetable sector are related to pest and disease management and are influenced by season, crop type, and regional context.