A workshop titled “Agritech 102” was held on March 23rd 2023 from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm in the auditorium of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi. This workshop was jointly organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, AHEAD operation, JICA PRECIDA-UOJ, the Agriculture students union, and a group of alumni members of the Faculty (Agri Task Force). The aim of this workshop is to identify or provide solutions to the problems faced by the farming community and agro-based entrepreneurs through research and discussions with relevant staff and students of the Faculty of Agriculture. This workshop is the continuation of the Agritech 101 workshop held in December 2019. About 200 participants participated in this workshop which includes around 50 participants from various farming societies and public and private stakeholders related to the agriculture sector and around 100 students and 30 staff members from the Faculty of Agriculture and 20 Alumni members of the Faculty of Agriculture who are working in the sectors related to Agriculture. Members from the JICA PRECIDA-UOJ also participated in this workshop.
The workshop started at 8.00 am with the registration of the participants. After the completion of traditional events and speeches participants presented their current problems related to agriculture (Pitching) in the workshop. Around 15 problems were presented by the participants. Then staff from each department explained the research facilities available in their departments. Then based on the department specialization and preference of the problems participants from farming society and public and private stakeholders related to the agriculture sector, staff and students of the Faculty of Agriculture formed different groups and discussed the problems and research that need to be carried out in a prolific manner. Stationery was provided to each group to document their findings. After the completion of the discussion staff from each group presented their ideas to solve the problems given by the stakeholders. Then the event was summarized and a follow-up meeting was planned in 6 month time with the outcome of the results. The workshop was concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the President of the Agriculture students union.
