Inauguration of Agriculture Training Centre in Mahawilachchiya to benefit 3,000 families

The renovated Agriculture Training Centre and Agriculture Instructor’s Office located in Pemaduwa, Mahawilachchiya in the Anuradhapura District was inaugurated recently by the Director of Agriculture (Extension and Training) S.A. Arunappriya. 

The facility was renovated with funding from the European Union (EU) under the Support to District Development Programme (EU-SDDP) which is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 

The Agriculture Training Centre, which operates under the purview of the Department of Agriculture, was established nearly 20 years ago, however the centre had remained closed for many years due to the war. Therefore, training programs for the farmer community in Mahawilchchiya were conducted mainly in village community halls. 

In September last year, FAO facilitated the renovation of the Agriculture Training Centre and Agriculture Instructor’s Office. The centre which has now been refurbished and equipped with technological facilities will benefit approximately 3,000 farmer families. 

Director of Agriculture (Extension and Training) of the Department of Agriculture S.A. Arunappriya stated that furnishing the training centre with agricultural equipment and technological facilities will ensure the provision of quality trainings for farmers who are striving to rebuild their livelihoods in a post war backdrop. “The renovated Agriculture Training Centre will be a conduit for expertise and knowledge sharing in Mahawilachchiya, where livelihoods depend primarily on agriculture,” said Arunappriya.

The Agriculture Training Centre in Mahawilachchiya aims to provide technical and practical trainings to farmers and farmer organisations on crop production, the use of agricultural inputs and implements, and the use of new technology. It will also focus on providing agri-products and local food production trainings for female farmers. The trainings which will be provided to farmers free of charge are to be conducted by resource personnel from the Department of Agriculture and affiliated state institutions.

“FAO’s strong relations with the Department of Agriculture has reached another important juncture through our partnership in implementing the European Union Support to District Development Program,” said Rohini Singarayer, FAO SDDP Project Manager. 

“Our aim is to reduce poverty through agricultural development, and one way of doing it is by improving resources and technical equipment to revitalise research and agricultural extension services. Thereby ensuring continuous training facilities for the farmers to improve their productivity and increase their level of production and income.”

Speaking about the inauguration, Libuse Soukupova, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka, said: “Integrated rural development and the modernisation of agriculture is one of EU’s top priorities for Sri Lanka. We are pleased to be able to contribute to improving the conditions of farmers, a group that play an important role in the development of the country.”

Jointly implemented by five agencies of the United Nations, the EU-SDDP with a total financial envelope of EUR 60 million, aims at supporting the Government of Sri Lanka’s thrust for economic and social development in seven conflict-affected districts covering half a million people.