Based on the success of last year’s composting workshop and competition and the continued requests from farmers and entrepreneurs, the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, together with the Outreach Committee of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, organized the Organic Fertilizer Production: Composting and Vermicomposting programme in 2026 with financial support from JICA PRECIDA-University of Jaffna. The programme consists of four phases: (1) a one-day training workshop, (2) field evaluation of the composting competition, (3) laboratory analysis of selected compost samples, and (4) an awards and recognition ceremony. An Expression of Interest (EOI) was invited through a Google Form, and participation was limited to 50 participants. More than 50 applications were received, and the first 50 applicants were selected. The total sponsorship for the workshop (phase 1) was LKR 48,600. The phase 1 one-day workshop was successfully held on 24 July 2026, from 8.40 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., at the Auditorium, Home Garden and Farm Unit, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi.
The workshop was conducted in Tamil and provided participants with practical knowledge and hands-on skills in composting and vermicomposting to promote sustainable organic fertilizer production among farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. A total of 62 individuals attended the workshop, including resource persons, participants, supporting students, and staff. Of these, 45 participants were farmers and agri-entrepreneurs representing all five districts of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
Experienced academics and practitioners from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, conducted the technical sessions and practical demonstrations throughout the workshop. The programme began with a welcome address by Prof. K. Pakeerathan, Chairperson of the Outreach Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. Prof. N. Gnanavelrajah, Senior Professor in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, delivered a lecture on “Techniques for Quality Compost Production and Sri Lanka Standards.
This was followed by an experience-sharing session by Mrs. Leo Anthoniyammal Peiris and Mr. Jegajothi Joy Majesty, founders of Jega Regenerative Integrated Farm (JERIF) and winners of the 2025 Composting Competition organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna. They shared how participating in the composting workshop and competition inspired them to start a vermicomposting enterprise. They explained that JERIF is now actively producing high-quality vermicompost and exporting its products. They also discussed their journey, the challenges they faced, and the opportunities available in organic fertilizer production, encouraging participants to consider composting as a sustainable and profitable business.
Following the experience sharing, the 4th volume of the agricultural Newsletter Pasumaiyoli, published by the Outreach Committee of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, was released to disseminate research findings and agriculture-related articles for the benefit of farmers.
Next, Prof. G. Mikunthan, Senior Professor in the Department of Agricultural Biology, delivered a lecture on “Techniques in Vermicomposting.” The final technical session was presented by Dr. A. Shayanthan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, on “Modern Composting Technologies and the Use of Biofertilizers.”
During the practical session, farmers received hands-on training and actively participated in making vermicompost and compost piles under guidance, allowing them to apply the techniques they had learned immediately. The session was conducted by Mr. S. Sritharan (Farm Manager), Dr. N. Thiruchchelvan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Biology, and Ms. K. Kajeevan, Lecturer in Agricultural Chemistry.
Farmers were encouraged to start composting at their homes and farms to produce organic fertilizer. At the end of the workshop, the Composting and Vermicomposting Competition 2026 was launched. Out of the 45 workshop participants, 32 participants registered for the competition. The competition has two categories: Composting and Vermicomposting. Among the registered participants, 24 applied for both categories, 2 applied only for Composting, and 6 applied only for Vermicomposting. Therefore, a total of 26 compost samples and 30 vermicompost samples (56 samples in total) are expected for evaluation.
Participants were informed about the competition rules, evaluation process, and quality requirements based on Sri Lanka Standard (SLS 1635:2019). The compost and vermicompost samples will be tested in the laboratory. Participants whose samples meet the required quality standards will receive Merit Certificates. As a large number of participants joined the competition, strict competition rules were introduced. Participants must follow all competition guidelines, including recommended composting methods, maintaining records, and submitting regular progress updates. Those who do not follow the guidelines will be automatically removed from the competition. The detailed competition guidelines are given in Annexure. Participants were also informed that, due to the high cost of laboratory analysis, only compost and vermicompost samples that meet the required standards during the field evaluation will be selected for laboratory testing. During the field evaluation, the quality of the compost will be assessed based on the raw material ratio used, the composting method followed, and other physical characteristics such as colour, texture, moisture content, and odour. Only samples that meet the required standards will be collected for laboratory analysis. The top three winners in each category will be selected based on field evaluations conducted in accordance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The winners will receive medals and certificates at Agritech 2027.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Ambihai Shayanthan. Overall, the event was a resounding success, fostering knowledge, skills, a path to entrepreneurship, and motivation for sustainable organic agriculture among the farming community across the Northern Province.
