The 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Uva Agriculture Development Forum (UADF) was held on September 16, 2020 in the presence of its membership. The meeting was commenced at 2.00 p.m. at the Main Lecture Theatre of Uva Wellassa University.
Prof. H.M.S.K. Herath, Dean, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture briefed the objectives of UADF and also welcomed the gathering. On the request of Prof. S.C. Jayamanne, former Chairman of UADF,Office Bearers for the year 2020/2021 were appointed. Prof. H.M.S.K. Herath, Dean, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, was appointed as the new Chairman, as per the constitution. Dr.(Ms.) D.P.N. De Silva, Lecturer, Department of Animal Scienceand Dr. R.M.S.D. Rathnayaka, Senior Lecturer (Gr. II), Department of Export Agriculture, were appointed as the Secretary and Treasurer of the UADF, respectively.Meanwhile, Mr. K.P. Somachandra, Deputy Director (Research), Regional Agriculture Research Centre, Bandarawela and Dr.S.J.M.R.R. Samarakoon, Subject Matter Specialist, Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH), Uva Province, were appointed as the Vice Chairman and Deputy Secretary, respectively.
Thereafter, invited speeches were delivered by the distinguished guests. Accordingly, Dr. S.K. Weerasundara, Director, Uva Provincial Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH), Mrs. Ayesha Gunawardena, Director, Uva Provincial Department of Agriculture, Mr. GunadasaSamarasinghe, District Secretory, Monaragala District and Mr. R.M.T.B. Hathiyaldeniya, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Production and Inland Fisheries added their views to the meeting. Prof.J.L. Ratnasekera, Vice Chancellor, Uva Wellassa University explained about the opportunities that the Uva Wellassa Universitycan create to develop Uva agriculture by holding hands with the Government and Private sectors of the province.
In the 6th AGM, a special discussion was held on “Sustainability of Uva Agriculture Sector in Post COVID-19 Era” and that was contributed by the thoughts of 17 specialists covering different sectors of agriculture representing different organizations that involve in agriculture and related activities in Uva province. Dr. R.A.P.I.S.Dharmadasa, Senior Lecturer (Gr. I), Department of Export Agriculture,moderated the discussion.
At the end, participants were teamed into six working groups namely, Agriculture, Plantation Crops, Agriculture Education, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Livestock Production and Health, and Forest, Land and Environment. The working groups discussed and defined two developmental projects from each group in relation to agriculture in the Uva province. The groups will have to work for these projects in the coming year 2020/2021.
Finally, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. after the vote of thanks delivered by the Secretary of UADF.
