Workshop on SMART Agriculture

Workshop on SMART Agriculture Empowers Youth Farmers in Northern and Eastern Provinces

The Outreach Committee of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, successfully organized a one-day workshop on “SMART Agriculture” on 1st July 2026 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi.

The programme brought together 112 participants, including agricultural instructors, youth farmers, Commercial Bank beneficiary farmers, and staff members from the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The event aimed to transfer modern agricultural technologies to farmers and young entrepreneurs, encourage the adoption of SMART farming practices for environmental sustainability and increased productivity, and inspire youth to pursue agriculture as a modern and profitable enterprise.

The workshop commenced with opening remarks by Dr. S. J. Arasakesary, Outreach Committee member, followed by an introduction to the outreach mission of JICA-PRECIDA by Dr. Yuka Sasaki. Participants gained valuable insights into Precision Agriculture from Professor K. Pakeerathan and learned about the applications, benefits, and challenges of SMART farming systems through a session conducted by Professor N. Kannan.

A major highlight of the programme was the extensive field training sessions, where participants received hands-on experience in innovative agricultural technologies. The demonstrations included setting up automated indoor farms, real-time monitoring and hyperspectral image processing, drone applications in agriculture, modern farm machinery, and compost and vermitechnology for SMART farming systems. The sessions were facilitated by academic staff and technical teams from the Faculty of Agriculture.

Youth farmers representing Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Batticaloa, Ampara, and Trincomalee actively participated in the workshop, reflecting the growing interest in technology-driven agriculture across the region.

The programme concluded with a certificate awarding ceremony, feedback session, and wrap-up conducted by Professor K. Pakeerathan, marking another significant milestone in the University of Jaffna’s commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative agricultural practices among the younger generation.

The Faculty of Agriculture remains dedicated to empowering farming communities through knowledge sharing, technological advancement, and collaborative outreach initiatives that contribute to the future of Sri Lankan agriculture.