The Executive Committee of the ASDA 2010 under the guidance of Director General of Agriculture has decided to organize ASDA 2010 during the third week of September 2010.
We are in the process of calling Research Papers, Short communications and Posters for ASDA 2010. All the Technical officers (SLAgS, PA, AMO, RA and All etc) of the DOA and the Provincial DOA are eligible to submit Research Papers for ASDA 2010.
Officers who are interested m submitting Research papers could send their full papers to reach the ASDA secretariat before 30th of April 2010 on doa.asda2010@gmail.com. Details of the criteria and the closing dates are given in the poster attached. Please make necessary arrangements to give wide publicity for this. Here with I am sending some posters to be displayed within your Institute/Centre and allied units
The Executive Committee of ASDA 2010 wishes to stress on the importance of upgrading the quality of research papers as well as related presentations on various disciplines. Please encourage all technical officers under your purview to submit their Research papers for ASDA 2010. If you need any further clarifications in respect please do not hesitate to contact me or the ASDA secretariat.
I trust that you will extend you fullest cooperation to make ASDA 2010 a success in all aspects.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely
S.Periyasamy
Chairman ASDA 2010
WikiGoviya receives the e-Swabhimani 2009 awardWikiGoviya (www.goviya.lk) received the country's first ever ICT award e-Swabhimani 2009 under the category of e-Learning and Education.
Posted by Audio Visual Centre on November 10, 2009 at 2:30pm
WIKIGOVIYA REACHES SOUTH ASIA…
WikiGoviya received the best e-Content Award under the category of e-Education in Manthan Award South Asia '09, held in New Delhi, India. The team of IT staff Dr. Rohan Wijekoon, ADA AVC, Mr. WAG SisiraKumara, Mr. MFM Rizwan, Mr. KAUNN Bandara and Mr. KTD Wasalage participated in this event representing Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka
JUROR’S EVALUATION, MANTHAN AWARD SOUTH ASIA ‘09
Wikigovia is an online discussion forum which was started in Sri Lanka. After the end of civil war, large tracks of land were available in the northern and eastern parts of the island nation. There is a hugedebate in Sri Lanka on how to use this 'organic land'. Since face to face ground extension is not effectively operating in the field as an immediate need, an alternative approach is needed to disperse Department of agriculture knowledge (DOA) pool to farmers. Therefore, DOA found that the Wikigoviya is an appropriate tool to meet the need of the farming community as whole and especially to the Northern and Eastern province isolated due to the deadly war. Wikigovia takes help of the latest ICT tools like blogs, discussion forums, agri-experts' opinions on the methods needed to use this naturally fertile land. This effort is adding a ray of hope in this war ravaged country.
RIVIDINA ARUNELLA- RAN ASWANU MANGALYA
Rivi Dina Arunella - Ran Aswanu Mangalya has been held at Agro technology park, Gannoruwa on 25th of October 2009. It is one of the programmes held paralal to "Let us cultivate and up lift the nation" of national agriculture programme by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. Hon. Minister of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Mr. Mitreepala Sirisena was the chief guest of the programme. And, a number of invited guests participated on this occation.
Winners of the Rivi Dina Arunella - Ran Aswanu Mangalya home garden compitition had been announced and awarded on that circumstance.
Compitition of School Home Garden
1st Place - Lunugamwehera, Adhayapura Primary School
2nd Place - Kinya Central College
3rd Place - D S Senanayake College
Best Large Scale Cultivator
Mr Chaminda Roshan
Compitition of Home Garden
1st Place - Mr Ajantha Premalal, Kurunegala
2nd Place - Ms Pushpa Kanthi, Ukuwela
3rd Place - Ms Samantha Swarnapali, Meerigama
Farmers-week at Polonnaruwa
(11th to 16th of October 2009)
Entrance
Inauguration
at extibition area
Farmers' week at PolonnaruwaAgriculture Development and Agrarian Services Ministry has decided to held the Farmers week at Polonnaruwa on 11th to 16th of October 2009.
According to the schedule, the first day of the farmers week; religious activities will be held through out the day at Gal Viharaya with the purpose of blessing the whole farming community in Sri Lanka.
The ploughing Ceremony will be launched each and every districts of Sri Lanka in the second day of the farmers week and Agricultural exhibition will be held at the premises of the Seed Farm on the third day. The exhibition consists of various types of cultural items and it will be opened from 13th -16th October and will be commenced from 9.00am to 6.00pm. Cultural items and carnival could be experienced from that onward.
The day, 14th October is devoted for seminars and workshops regarding new technological innovations. Educational and awareness programs, an event to felicitate farmers and the award ceremony for the winners of the competition regarding “let us cultivate and uplift the nation” programme will be held on 15th October.
Numbers of programmes are organized for the world food day on last day of the farmars’ week. Different events will be conducted on new findings of the post harvest technology, food technology and food preservation as well as the food consumption.
This exhibition presents number of new technological information as well as the progress of the programme “let us cultivate and uplift the nation” The public is mostly welcome for the exhibition by the organizers.
Annual Symposium
Annual Symposium of the Department of Agriculture will be held on 01st and 2nd of October 2009 at the Auditorium of the Plant Genetic Resource Centre, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya.
National ploughing ceremony at Vavnia
Minister of Agricultural Development and Agrarian services Mr. Mitreepala Sirisena has decided to held national ploughing ceremony (Wap Mangula) at Vavniya Nelumkulama paddy field on 12th October 2009.
Preliminary discussion on this matter was held at School of Agriculture, Vavniya of the Department of Agriculture.
The Farmer’s week of this year will be organized at Polonnaruwa on 11th - 16th of October and The National Ploughing ceremony will be held on the second day of the farmer’s week at Vavuniya. Specially, the agriculture minister mentioned that it would be a great pleasure to visit Vavuniya within the two month time period after the entire liberalization of the Northern Province. He further mentioned that he would take appropriate measures to start cultivation from the Maha season in relation with Uthuru Wasanthaya and get the fullest cooperation from relevant officers in this matter. Further, he added that he visits the Northern Province frequently to monitor the progress. The Minister discussed with the relevant officers from the each district of the Northern Province to find out the problems they are facing. He promised to fill the vacancies of the officers and the staff, provide seed, planting materials and technical advices.
An exhibition with the productions of self employees from the Vavuniya district was held by the Northern Provincial Department of Agriculture. Locally made products in the district were available for sale. They were looking for the market opportunities in major markets of other part of the country said the agriculture officers.
Additional secretaries of Ministry of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Mr. W. Sakalasooriya, Mr. Rukman Rathanyake, Mr. M H Muinudeen, Director General of Agriculture Dr. (Mrs) Jinadari de Zoisa, Agrarian Services Commissioner Mr. Ravindra Hewawitharana as well as all Northern Province district secretaries, Additional district secretaries, and number of Department of Agriculture officers and Department of Agrarian Services officers participated on the occasion.
Department of Agriculture takes steps for Northern development
Director General Dr. Ms. Jinadari de Zoisa with other officers from the Department of Agriculture visited Vavniya and Mannar to investigate the necessary action to be taken for the development of Northern region within the two months after liberalization of entire Northern Province. Actions have been taken to initiate the cultivation during next Maha
Necessary actions have been taken to produce seed paddy required for the Northern regions at Agriculture Farm belongs to the Department of Agriculture. It is easy to initiate the seed paddy production in this farm since the landmines have been already demined. It is reported that hybrid variety called BG 407 gives a yield of 280 bushels per Acre. Priority is given to select a suitable paddy variety for Northern region. Mannar district has the high potential for rice production and it is emphasized that it contributes to national productivity significantly.
In addition, necessary actions have been taken to cultivate Mung bean, Cowpea, Black gram, Soya bean, Ground nut, Bitter gourd as well as Luffa according to the necessity of the Northern people. Department of Agriculture Research Station located in Vavuniya launches researches to introduce new varieties field crops, vegetables and fruits suitable for the region.
Director General of Agriculture Dr. Ms. Jinadari de Zoisa has promised to reorganize the administrative activities which were malfunctioned due to the war in the Northern region and take necessary actions solve the problems. Further, she promised to appoint new staff for the Department of Agriculture and assigned to the Northern region. She told that she would take appropriate action to rehabilitate the building destroyed due to the war.
The directors of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. K E Karunathilaka, Dr. Nimal Dissanayake, Dr. Lashman Amarasinghe, Mr. W Gamage Wickramasinghe, and Deputy Directors of the Depatment of Agriculture Dr. G W W Chithral, Mr. H B N W M Attanayake and Assistant Director of Agriculture Mr. K B Gunaratne also participated at that meeting.
The Tropical Agriculturist (TA)
The oldest agricultural journal in the tropics
Welcome to the online instructions for submitting research articles to the Tropical Agriculturist. The Tropical Agriculturist publishes original scientific research pertaining to tropical agriculture including, plantation crops, export agriculture (spices and condiments), medicinal plants, forestry, floriculture, fisheries and livestock.
Editorial policy
Acceptance of papers for publication in the TA is at the discretion of the Editor. All manuscripts are reviewed initially by the Editorial Board and only those papers that meet the scientific and editorial standards of the Journal will be sent for outside review.
Editor will request at least two expert reviewers to evaluate the scientific content and clarity of presentation of submitted papers. If revision of the manuscript is suggested, authors will be provided with the comments of the reviewers.
Once the paper has been reviewed, the senior author will receive a decision letter from the Editor.
Manuscripts and correspondence concerning manuscripts should be addressed to;
Dr. Anura Wijesekara
Horticulture Research and Development Institute
P.O. Box 11
Peradeniya
Sri Lankae-mail: awijesekara@yahoo.com
The Tropical Agriculturist expect authors to adhere to scientific norms and avoid submitting multiple manuscripts on closely related or same topic.
Currently in print: volume 155 (2004/2005)
Next two volumes: 156 (2006/2007) and 157 (2008/2009) – expected to be publish by December 2009. Both volumes are still open for submitting articles.
New Government Sales Centre for Dambulla
Seed and planting material sales center has been opened at Palwehera, proximate to Dambulla town by the director general Dr (Ms.) Jinadari de Zoysa. A great defect can be solved by this sales centre and thereby farmers can buy standardized good quality seed paddy and other seeds as well as the agricultural printing publications at lower prices.
Farming community of Dambulla and surrounding areas give their gratitude to for this service. The Department of Agriculture hopes to fulfill the demand of seed paddy of this area and sell number of new improved fruit and vegetable varieties out of this sales centre.
Seed paddy, vegetable seeds, other field crop seeds and planting materials required to you can be obtained from this sales centre located at Palwehera in Polonnaruwa Dambulla main road. Further information can be obtained by telephone number 066-2284831.
Director, Seed and plant material development Mr. K E Karunathilake, Deputy Directors Mr. G M W Chitral, Mr. M B N W M Attanayake and Assistant directors of Agriculture Mr. K B Gunaratne, Mr. H M S P Herath participated at that occasion.
A woman for the highest position of the Department of Agriculture
A Woman has appointed as the Director General of Agriculture for the first time of the Department history. Namely, she is Dr. Indra Jinadarie de Zoysa. She is the 29th Director General of the Department of Agriculture. She assumed duty in her post on 12.06.2009 at the head office of the Department of Agriculture.
3- Day Training Program on Plant Diagnosis by Scientists from CABI, UK
The Department of Agriculture and Horticultural Crop Research and Development Institute in collaboration with CABI, UK are organizing 3- day training program on “Field Diagnosis and Operation of Plant Health Clinics’’ in 18th -20th March, 2009 at ISTI, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya. Two senior scientists at CABI, Dr.Robert Reeder and Dr.Paula Kelly will conduct the programe.
These two scientists have planned to inspect Bean Yellowing Complex in Sri Lanka in order to develop a methodology to study / control the problem.
Purchasing of Ground nut, Black gram and Soya been
Steps have been taken by the Department of Agriculture on large Scale buying of Field Crops like Ground nut, Black gram and Soya been for Cultivation of the Maha Season 2008-2009.
As there is a Shortage of these Seeds the Department of Agriculture would anticipate those Farmers who hand over their surplice Quantities to the Agriculture Instructor of the nearest Agrarian Service Center or Deputy Director of the District. A Considerable Price would be paid.
Further more this will help to promote the “Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu”.
K.B. Gunarathna
Assistant Director of Agriculture (Media)
A new Samba variety “AT 308” for all over the country
B D Pathynayake
ROIC
Rice Research Institute
Ambalantota
It is considered that Sri Lankan rice is more quality than other rice. Thus it has high demand and as well as high price. Currently, among the recommended varieties no three month varieties but 3.5 month variety “BG 358” is very popular. But BG 358 can be logged in some areas and it become drought susceptible in rain fed areas as well as minor irrigation areas. Therefore it is felt need to introduce a three month variety with tolerant to logging. Earlier attempts that produce a variety like this were not succeeded due to low yield and susceptible to logging.
Three month, round rice variety AT 308, tolerant to logging, leaf blast, Bacteria leaf blight, as well as brown plant hopper damage. Also it is resistant to gall midge damage as well as sheath blight. Rice and boiled rice has attractive appearance. The yield of this variety is about 120 bushels per acres and it gives 25% of first yield by ratoon crop.
The research activities done under the name of AT 605.
Four new guava hybrid varieties from the DOA
Guava is popular as home garden fruit. Currently it is popularizing as commercial fruit crop. It can earn high profit by commercially. Fresh Fewer amounts of seeds are there. Cordial, Jam, Jelly like food items can be prepared by using guava. These new varieties are good for above products due to their good flavor and aroma.
The new guava hybrid varieties are Jambo, Horana sweet, Red giant, and Lanka apple. These new varieties give 4 tons per hectare of yield and fruit is large in size. Less number of seeds are there. Resistant to pest and disease.
Rs. 52200.00 of net profit can be obtained by first harvest of the cultivation. The net profit will be Rs. 174520.00 in the third year.
Jambo and Horana sweet varieties have dwarf trees. Fewer amounts of seeds are there. Flesh is white in colour. Good flavor is there. Those are suitable for export purpose.
Red giant and Lanka apple varieties have comparatively large trees. In ripen fruits, outer skin is yellowish green in colour and Flesh is red in colour. Fewer amounts of seeds are there. It is suitable for fresh juice production.
Variety Lanka apple is resistant to stem end rot and tolerant to leaf eating caterpillar’s damage.
A new avocado variety
A new avocado variety was introduced by the DOA. It has high nutritional value as well as medicinal value. These fruits have 10% of fat. It is comparatively higher value. Thus, it is best for heart patients. Its outer skin is hard. Therefore post harvest losses are less. It has higher demand for export market. Good for export. Resistant to fruit fly damage.
Implementation of Seed Act. No. 22 of 2003
All the seed handlers in Sri Lanka, who are directly involved in the following activities, are hereby requested to get themselves registered with the Director (Seed Certification Service), Gannoruwa, as per section 8 of the Seed Act, No.22 of 2003
- Importation of seed / planting materials
- Production of seed / planting materials for commercial purposes
- Distribution of seed / planting materials
- Seed processing
- Packaging / Re-Packaging
- Seed sales agents
- Retail or wholesale seed dealers
- Nurserymen
- Seeds / Planting materials distributors
- Any other activities which involves in the supply of seed / planting materials to the local market
Involvement in any related activity which concerns the supply of seed and planting materials to the local market, without prior registration, as envisaged above will be considered a violation of section 16 of the said act.
Application forms for registration, with required information, can be collected from the nearest office of the Seed Certification Service of the Department of Agriculture or by post by providing a self-addressed stamped envelope (9"x4") to the
Director,
Seed Certification and Plant Protection Service,
No. 74,
Gannoruwa,
Peradeniya.
The Director, Seed Certification Service of the Department of Agriculture, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya may be addressed for any further clarifications in this regard. His contact telephone numbers are as follows.
Tel. 081-2388044 or 081-2384226 Fax: 081-2388077
Dr. C. Kudagamage
Director General of Agriculture
2008.07.09
Promotion of Organic farming by the Department of Agriculture
Farmers have been practicing Organic Faming has over centuries. Really speaking conventional agriculture started from there. In recent time there is an enlightening stress on organic farming all over the world. In Sri Lanka also few interested groups have started organic farming. The demand for organic food is increasing.
Department of agriculture is having a project to promote organic farming in the country with an ultimate goal of exporting them after certifying. The ministry of agriculture has provided 4.5 million rupees for starting the project and it is expected to increase the financial allocation in coming years. Department of agriculture in year 2005 is expecting to lay out a producer foundation in 10 districts with the help of provincial departments of agriculture.
Fertilizer unit of the extension and training division of the department of agriculture is coordinating this program. It is willing to share there experience with interested parties. Those who are interested may contact
Assistant Director of Agriculture Fertilizer unit,
P.O. Box 18,Peradeniya.
Sri Lanka.
Telephone :- 0094812388229.Cured Banana Leaves - an Environmentally Friendly Food Wrapper
People have been using banana leaves to wrap food items since ancient times and this practice is common among majority of the cultures in the south Asia. We all like to taste a meal wrapped in banana leaves as it gives a distinct smell and also keep the food fresh for a longer time. However, due to the unavailability of the leaves at close proximity and also due to the need of obtaining fresh leaves for wrapping, other alternatives such as polyethylene sheets (Lunch sheets) are being utilized. Polyethylene sheet is a convenient wrapper but it has created many unwanted problems on mankind. These sheets take about more than one year to initiate the degradation and thus creating environmental pollution leading to many undesirable consequences. In addition, these sheets could contain various chemical compounds which may be harmful to the humans when exposed for a longer time period.
Therefore an investigation was carried out at Agriculture Research Station, Telijjawila to use banana leaves as a food wrapper and to keep it for a longer duration without being change in its colour or quality. As a result a technique has been perfected to produce cured banana leaves that can be kept more than one month under refrigerated condition without any changes in colour or quality.
Methodology.
Well grown leaves are trimmed and separate into pieces (45 cm x 45 cm) excluding the mid rib. These pieces may be rectangular or round in shape depending on the requirement. These pieces are initially washed in pure water to remove the dust and any other inert particles deposited on leaves. Thereafter curing can be done following several ways depending on the availability of the facilities. There are four methods that can easily be practiced to cure the fresh banana leaves.
Oven drying.
Leaves can be dried in an oven at the temperature of 80 – 85 oC for 5 minutes.
Steaming
Leaves can be placed in a steamer for 25 – 60 seconds till the appearance of olive green colour. This time depends on the amount of steam released and the thickness of the leaves.
Hot water treatment.
Leaves can be dipped in boiling water till the appearance of green colour change and immediately transfer to cold water.
Cooking
Leaves can be processed in a pressure cooker for a few minutes.
After curing of leaves using the above methods, retaining water must be drained out immediately and the leaves should be air- dried for 8 – 10 hours before packing them for storing under refrigerated conditions. Each leaf should be packed with a piece of moisture absorbent paper (newspaper, wrapping paper or paper serviette) and bundle them in to packs containing 10 or 20 pieces. They can be packed in small boxes or in aluminum foil .These packs can be kept for 5 days under room temperature and more then one month in a refrigerator without adversely affecting their original colour and quality.
This hardened banana leaf can effectively be used to wrap the food. It odes not tear when folding and also gives the fresh smell when the wrapped parcel is opened. The meal wrapped in banana leaves can warm in microwave oven without any changes. Thus this is an environmentally sound material and a perfect substitute for polyethylene sheets.
Nearly about 10 leaves can be harvested from a plant per year in normal banana cultivation while obtaining a bunch. In each leaf 5 – 8 pieces (45 x 45 cm2) can be obtained. Hence from one hectare of land, minimum of 120,000 wrappers can be produced. If a single banana wrapping sheet costs 50 cent additional income of Rs 60,000 can be obtained apart from the bunches from one hectare of banana cultivation established in annual planting system.
