Department of Agronomy conducted a one-day workshop under the title of Arboriculture Techniques and Tree Management for Sustainable Agriculture on 18.02.2022, Friday from 8.00 am- 4.15 pm for farmers. Objective of the workshop is to help farmers to learn the important aspects in Arboricultural techniques, usage of timber plants and to motivate the farmers to involve in sustainable agriculture with knowing forestry expensive crop species. Arboricultural Technique is one of the most important elements of successful timber plant cultivation and management. Arboriculture techniques available to small scale farmers in different areas is often of insufficient quality, which undermines potential yield and performance of Agroforestry crop management. This workshop was organized under the AHEAD programme (AHEAD/RA2/ELTAELSE/JFN/FAG/OVAA 08/ WS1).
Initially welcome address was delivered by Dr.K.Pakeerathan. AHEAD coordinator and Dr.S.Vasantharuba, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture briefed the activities of the Faculty of Agriculture under taking to uplift the society through community engagement programme. Prof. T. Sivananthawerl, Professor in Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (external expert) and Mr. K. Jeyavanan, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna are the experts provide the theoretical knowledge and practical skills as the resource persons. The tools and equipment provided through AHEAD grant were utilized for the workshop. There were fifty (50) participants were actively involved in the workshop in the various disciplines. At the end of the workshop, farmers were trained in followings,
- Selection of tree species,
- basic principles of tools which use for arboriculture,
- technical knowledge of tree management.
- Bordeaux mixture preparation
- Termite and other pest control for tree
- Tree propping techniques
- Tree pruning and thinning
- Tree nursery and seedling production
- Handling the equipment for tree management
