This study investigates farmer preferences for banana diversity in Sri Lanka. First, we investigate farmers’ attitudes towards banana cultivation. Secondly, we estimate diversity selection models to identify the important factors that contribute to conservation of banana diversity. The study analyses 450 banana growers in three districts representing different climatic zones. The Poisson model and Shannon Diversity Index are employed to determine the key household, market and other characteristics that are important for the conservation of banana diversity. The study indicates that maintaining on-farm diversity is receiving increased attention from farmers as a strategy for mitigating production risk and protecting food security in rural areas. Family size, education, experience, method of marketing and attitude of farmers are found to be the major determinants of banana diversity maintenance on farms. The study recommends a subsidy to farmers to cultivate traditional varieties for the purpose of maintaining farm diversity given farmers typically prefer new varieties which deliver high productivity.

本研究调查了斯里兰卡农民对香蕉多样性的偏好。首先，我们调查农民对香蕉种植的态度。其次，我们估计多样性选择模型，以确定有助于保护香蕉多样性的重要因素。该研究分析了代表不同气候区的三个地区的 450 名香蕉种植者。泊松模型和香农多样性指数用于确定对保护香蕉多样性很重要的关键家庭、市场和其他特征。该研究表明，作为降低生产风险和保护农村地区粮食安全的战略，维持农场多样性正受到农民越来越多的关注。家庭规模、教育、经验、营销方法和农民的态度被发现是农场香蕉多样性维持的主要决定因素。该研究建议补贴农民种植传统品种，以保持农场多样性，因为农民通常更喜欢提供高生产力的新品种。