Ground Realities to Policy Changes for a Sustainable Future in UVA Agriculture
The UWU Farmers’ Forum 2025, organized by the Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, in collaboration with the Uva Provincial Department of Agriculture, was held on 18th July 2025 at Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka, as part of the university’s 20th anniversary celebration.
The event brought together farmers from across the Uva Province, representing diverse sectors such as paddy, vegetables, fruits, floriculture, and high-technology cultivation under the Agricultural Sector Modernization Project, along with rural community representatives, government officials, and private sector partners to discuss key challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector of the Uva Province. This forum provided an important platform for sharing experience, discussing best practices, and developing innovative strategies to promote sustainable agricultural development and enhance food security in Uva Province.
Dr. M.K.S.L.D. Amarathunga, Head of the Department of Export Agriculture, delivered the welcome address, warmly greeting all participants and emphasizing the significance of this forum in identifying key issues and seeking viable solutions for the farming community of Uva Province. The event was graced by Prof. Saman K. Herath, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture; Senior Prof. Kolitha B. Wijesekara, Vice Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University; and Mrs. N.P. Wanasinghe, Secretary of the Uva Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Health, and Inland Fisheries, who addressed the gathering and shared their insights.
Furthermore, Mr. S.K.P. Jayalath, Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, delivered a special address during the Farmers’ Forum on the topic “The Current Agricultural Landscape in the Uva Province”. The keynote speech was presented by Mr. A.S.M. Roshan, Assistant Director of the Division of Agribusiness Development, Department of Agriculture, on “Sri Lanka Good Agricultural Practices (SL-GAP) for a Profitable and Sustainable Commercial Farming Venture.”
The forum included expert presentations covering sustainable agricultural practices and modern technologies by Dr. K.P. Somachandra (Modern Agri Pvt. Ltd.), crop insurance and farmers’ pension schemes by Ms. Deepthika Kolalpitiya (Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Board, Badulla), and financial literacy with access to credit by Mr. J. Dushyanthan (Bank of Ceylon, Badulla), providing valuable insights for enhancing farmer resilience and productivity.
The interactive session facilitated farmers in articulating their concerns, engaging in structured group discussions, and proposing solutions, thereby fostering collaborative problem-solving under the guidance of academic facilitators. In addition, a round-table discussion was held to address the key issues impacting agriculture in the Uva Province and to identify sustainable approaches for agricultural development.
The UWU Farmers’ Forum 2025 successfully created a participatory platform for farmers to voice their concerns, share knowledge, and contribute to policy formulation efforts aimed at fostering a resilient and prosperous agricultural future for the Uva Province. In parallel, an information center was operated during the UWU EXPO 2025 to provide farmers and students with updates on new technologies, good agricultural practices, agricultural finance, and general agricultural knowledge.
The final policy documents were based on issues and suggestions raised during the interactive sessions of the Farmers’ Forum 2025 and the UWU Smart Agri Forum 2025 were handed over to the, Uva Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Animal Production, and Inland Fisheries, in the presence of Chief Secretary and the representatives of other department officers of the agriculture sector on November 03, 2025 at the Uva Provincial Council. This policy document serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, agricultural practitioners, and other stakeholders working towards a more prosperous and resilient future for the agricultural community in Uva Province.