Institute of Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences
This project in Hambantota was started in 1999 at Weligatta new town which had been constructed under Lunugamvehera Irrigation project, but not utilized as planned by the Lunugamvehera project. Initially started as a Center under the University of Colombo, it was developed in collaboration with the Irrigation Department, Mau-Ara project. The aim of the Center was to work with the farmers under Mau-Ara irrigation project to introduce modern agro-technology.
Agriculture is the main income of the people of the district. Thus, the core activities of the center are related to agriculture, i.e. introduction of modern agro-technology to the Hambantota district in collaboration with related authorities. A tissue culture laboratory that produces planting material was operational in production at the optimum capacity. This was established few years ago by renovating abandoned buildings of the Irrigation Department with the help of several Government and Non Government Organizations.
The Centre was subsequently elevated to the status of an Institute under the University of Colombo. It aims to offer certificate, diploma and later degree level programs on agro technology for the farming community. Life long learning through open distance learning (ODL) model is a major component in teaching and learning processes of the Institute.
Diploma in Agro-technology
Since Sri Lanka is an agricultural country farming community plays an important role for country economy. Therefore, agriculture is a highly respected and specialized field and people who are involving in agriculture need to be educated in their desired fields.
Since agriculture is the main income of majority of the people in rural areas, we introduce knowledge based agriculture for them through this course. The self learning of farmers up to degree level is now possible. This would give students recognition as well as economic benefits. This will result in skill and competency development.
At present the situation in the rural sector is that agriculture is selected as the last resort mainly due to the low income through agriculture as a result of lack of knowledge and technology. Therefore, it is timely that knowledge based agriculture is introduced to the farmers /growers/agribusiness where youth while being involved in agriculture could advance their knowledge and qualification as well.
Since Sri Lanka is an agricultural country the farming community plays an important role for country economy. Therefore, agriculture is a highly respected and specialized field and people who are involving in agriculture need to be educated in their desired fields.
Since agriculture is the main income of majority of the people in rural areas, we introduce knowledge based agriculture for them through this course. The self learning of farmers up to degree level is now possible. This would give students recognition as well as economic benefits. This will result in skill and competency development.
At present the situation in the rural sector is that agriculture is selected as the last resort mainly due to the low income through agriculture as a result of lack of knowledge and technology. Therefore, it is timely that knowledge based agriculture is introduced to the farmers /growers/agribusiness where youth while being involved in agriculture could advance their knowledge and qualification as well.
Inauguration of the course
The young farming community has received the opportunity to work with ICT and engage with online learning to face globalization. This is through Certificates and Diploma courses offered through open and distance learning modes. The Institute of Agro-technology and Rural Sciences of the University of Colombo at Weligatta, Hambantota, recently commenced the programme. Seventy (70) farmers from many parts of the country were registered for the course and Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Irrigation, Water Management, Ports and Aviation inaugurated the programme.
Learn more about the Diploma in Agro-technology
L3 Farmers Project
The Institute is linked with Lifelong learning (L3) Farmers Project, Commonwealth of Learning.
In 2004 Commonwealth of Learning (COL) developed a framework for Lifelong Learning for Farmers (L3 Farmers) Programme that empowers the farming communities to improve livelihoods through open and distance education (ODE) and information communication technology (ICT) to attempt to improve millions of farmers livelihoods of South Asia, Africa and Small islands. The Pilot project in Sri Lanka was officially launched in April 2007. The thrust in Sri Lanka is to gain strong support for national universities to implement the initiatives making this model uniquely university-centred and coordinated by a National Coordinator appointed by COL.
With a view to link the existing Weligatte Project to COL’s L3 Farmers, situation analysis was carried out by COL on the request of the Colombo University. Analysis revealed that the existing experiences and data could be consolidated and integrated into L3Farmers project with appropriate perspectives towards extension, credit, ODE and ICT. Perspective Plan submitted to COL was approved and contract Agreement signed between COL and the Institute in 2007. The University of Colombo Pilot was launched as the first pilot initiative of L3Farmers in SriLanka on July 17, 2007.
Objectives:
• To promote agro-and natural based, entrepreneurship based sustainable natural resource management among rural communities.
• To facilitate the use of ICT in such a process through a system of ODE for skills and knowledge empowerment.
• To promote rural community- public- private research and knowledge institutions partnership for promoting such process.
• To establish the project as a reference point (with reference to economic viability, financial feasibility, social acceptability and environment sustainability for self-replicating programme.
Lifelong learning (L3) describes the need for people to continue their education and training throughout life. Literally it means “Learning from the cradle to the life”. The clientele now knocking at the doors of Universities in the name of L3 are: postpones who could have had access to be at the end of secondary education but put off for various reasons of personal and career; second chancers, those who have not had the opportunity to benefit from academic learning and who apply for second chance; those who demand a type of education to update their knowledge whenever necessary and go on doing it throughout their working life. Most of the life-long learners face time, mobility and financial constraints because of their careers and family circumstances. Now given the right computer technology through DEMP(Distance Education Modernization Project) they can create a flexible learning time table, attend discussion groups, seminars and tutorials from their desks at or nearer their home and access much of their study material on-line.
Commonwealth of Learning, the only international intergovernmental organization which focuses exclusively on helping commonwealth countries to use ICT and ODL the scope and scale of education, is promoting food security and rural development in commonwealth by developing Lifelong Learning for Farmers (L3 F) Programme. It works with Universities in Sri Lanka, communities of farmers, extension officials, researchers and development of technology mediated open and distance learning opportunities which which help them to ensure food and livelihood security. The L3 F Project was officially launched in April 2007. The University of Colombo developed the L3 F based on the linkages with Weligatta Community in their vicinity. The L3 F in Sri Lanka according to the President and CEO of COL“is not only a model to the world for rural development, but also a wonderful example of the involvement of Universities with grass root communities.