In order to ensure sustainable agricultural development in the Northern Province and to enhance the sector, universities must extend their support and work shoulder to shoulder with our departments. Through such collective efforts, I firmly believe that we can achieve remarkable growth in the province’s agricultural sector in the future, stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The Governor made these remarks while addressing a special discussion held today – on Friday 02 January 2025, under the chairmanship of Dean Professor K. Bakeerathan, at the Faculty of Agriculture located in the Kilinochchi ‘Ariviyal Nagar’ of the University of Jaffna.
Continuing his address, the Governor said:
“Our objective is to build a strong network among the Provincial Departments of Agriculture, the Central Department of Agrarian Development, the Regional Agricultural Research and Development Institute, and other key stakeholders. Our shared goal should be to transform agriculture into a time-relevant, sustainable, productive, and resilient endeavor.
By introducing modern practices and innovative technologies, and by providing meaningful opportunities, we can encourage the next generation to embrace agriculture as a respectable and profitable profession. This will increase productivity and make a significant contribution to the province’s overall national production.
By narrowing the gap between research institutions and farmers, we can ensure that modern innovations and technologies reach agricultural lands swiftly. We must create an environment in which our farmers can achieve higher yields at lower production costs. I believe the university will be an appropriate partner in delivering the relevant technologies directly to farmers in the field.
At present, data relating to farmers’ production is not accurate. If such data were precise, we could predict what crops would be produced during specific periods and, accordingly, make policy-level requests to the government to restrict imports or increase taxes. We can obtain the university’s assistance in collecting the accurate data required as a foundation for this.
Under the current central government, we see a favorable environment. The Ministry of Agriculture is ready to provide what we request. By making use of this opportunity and by the university joining hands with us, we can create an excellent new chapter in Northern agriculture,” he said.
Subsequently, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture addressed the gathering and explained the initiatives undertaken by the Faculty of Agriculture in the past at the community level.
In the discussion that followed, detailed deliberations were held on how the university and agriculture-related departments could collaborate, and on how an agricultural development plan for the province could be prepared. It was also decided to continue this discussion in the future.
The event was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture – Northern Province, the Provincial Director of Agriculture, the Additional Provincial Director, District Directors, the Director of the Provincial Irrigation Department – Northern Province, Assistant Directors of Agrarian Services, and lecturers of the Faculty of Agriculture, among many others.
