This study uniquely quantifies the gap between entrepreneurial behaviour (EB) and sustainable entrepreneurial behaviour (SEB) among farmers in the Ratnapura District of Sri Lanka, and offers a context-specific framework with policy-oriented strategies to bridge the divide. Data were collected through a pre-tested, structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 392 farmers in the study area using a non-proportional random sampling, complemented by two focus group discussions involving 10 farmers each. The data were analyzed using Reliability Analysis, KMO Test, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Descriptive Statistics and Thematic Analysis. Results revealed that while farmers exhibit a neutral level of EB, with an EB index of 3.481 out of 5, their commitment to sustainability is relatively lower, as reflected by an SEB index of 2.916 out of 5. The positive gap of 0.565 between EB and SEB indicates that farmers prioritize short-term profitability over long-term sustainability. The context-specific framework and policy-oriented strategies underscore the need for gradual changes and strong external support systems to transition toward SEB, with targeted interventions such as incentives for eco-innovation, stronger market linkages for sustainable products, and financial de-risking measures.
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