Seasonal Dimensions of Rural- Urban Interaction: A Study of Consumption Linkages in the North Central Dry Zone Villages in Sri Lanka

Abstract

In rural societies a close relationship exists between rural - urban consumption linkages and the cultivation seasons. Rural - Urban linkages are strong during times of prosperity after harvest, but during periods of hardship, seasonal poverty compels farmers to purchase essential provisions on credit from village entrepreneurs. This is close to the situation prevailing among farm households in the North Central Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. The harvesting period of the main agricultural season in March and April coincides with the New Year festivities. Hence, consumption links with urban centres are stronger during variety of better quality goods at competitive prices, while weekly markets or "polas ' at these centres attract a large number of traders and consumers. During the rest of the year, except for two minor periods with strong rural - urban linkages, the majority of the farmers depend on village traders who supply daily provisions, agricultural inputs and other requirements on credit. The objective of this study is to account for the changes in the consumption linkages; examine the extent to which land ownership, wealth and regular monthly wages earned in urban areas contribute to differences in consumption linkages; assess the role of the village traders and suggest suitable recommendations to strengthen beneficial linkages with urban centres. Primary data for this study is based on fieldwork conducted in three urban centres and nine villages in their hinterlands. There is a close relation between inputs for the agricultural sector and the marketed outputs. As the same time, the farmers are bound to sell their outputs to the person who can deliver the inputs, especially when the inputs are credits.