The Outreach Committee of the Faculty of Agriculture organized an Academia-Public-Private Discussion Forum on “Problem Solving in Agriculture Sector: Agri-Tec-2024” with the sponsorship of JICA PRECIDA – UOJ, World Vision and Agro Ceylon Fertilizer International (PVT) Limited on February 28, 2024, at the main auditorium of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi from 8.30 am – 4.00 pm. The prime aim of this discussion forum was to make connections between stakeholders from various public-private sectors and academia of FOA, identify the industries and farmers’ problems in the field of agriculture, provide the best solution for agro-entrepreneurs and agro-based industries, and facilitate students to conceive the research ideas to carryout researches. Around 230 members including the academia of FOA, JICA experts, members from the Department of Agriculture, agro-entrepreneurs, farmers and final year undergraduate students of FOA were participated in the Agri-Tech-2024.
The workshop started with the brief address on the objective and anticipated outcome of Agritec-2024 delivered by the outreach committee coordinator of the faculty of Agriculture Prof. K. Pakeerathan at 9.00 am. Then Dean Faculty of Agriculture Professor S.Vasantharuba, delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for the discussions ahead. Thereafter, Professor. USAMI KOICHI, addressed the insights of Agri-tec and expectations of Agri-tec-2024 particularly importance to the undergraduates. Thereafter, Dr. S. J. Arasakesary moderated the session I, where participants presented their problems, each lasting for three minutes. The problems were directed to the respective specialization students of different departments such as Agronomy, Animal Science, Agricultural Biology, Agricultural Chemistry (Food science discipline &, Agricultural Chemistry soil science discipline, respectively), Agricultural Engineering and Agricultural Economics for further discussion. The special guest Prof.Ganesh Rajah (UBL,UOJ advisory board member), delivered a motivational speech on the importance of the collaboration between the university and community. Thereafter Mr. S. AnuRakavan, UBL manager, UOJ briefed the functions and outcomes of UBL and how UBL can assist in creating businesses in the agricultural sector. Then the continuation of session I was moderated by Dr.N.Kannan, allowing the participants to pitch there problems. Followed by the problem pitching, the participants were divided into seven groups and allowed to join with the relevant expertise along with students to discuss further and to seek potential solutions in three different venues (Computer Unit, Main Auditorium and Boardroom) at the faculty of Agriculture. Then after, students from each specialization presented the outcome of discussion and came up with potential solution for the pitched problem. Then the chairperson, FRC discussed the identified research areas and laid the foundation for the future research initiatives.
At last, Prof. K. Pakeerathan summarized the key outcomes of Agri-tec-2024 and received the feedback from participants. The forum ended at 4.00 pm with the vote of thanks delivered by the Ms.T.Asharp, Secretary, Outreach committee.
The entire Agri-tech-2024 was financially sponsored by the JICA-PRECIDA, World Vision Lanka and Agro Ceylon Fertilizer International (PVT) Limited.
