10th February 2022 10:50:47 Hours
The sustained efforts of the 'Army with a Heart' towards coordination and promotion of organic fertilizer production continue with routine discussions and review of the progress at all district levels as per guidelines set out by the Green Agriculture Operation Centre (GAOC), headed by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army.
One more productive session of the Kandy District coordinating committee was held recently at the Kandy District Secretariat where state officials, Major General Kalpa Sanjeewa, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division, few Divisional Secretaries, 111 Brigade Commander, together with experts in the field took part.
During this session, the GOC, 11 Division submitted their recommendations and the action plan to the gathering, focusing largely on the coordination role of the Sri Lanka Army in the project.
Meanwhile, similar coordinating conferences with the participation of coordinators for Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts were held in respective areas, including the Services Revision Institute at Bindunuwewa.
All those district-based sessions were also enriched with lectures and practicals.
One more practical session on organic fertilizer production to the farmers in Mullaittivu area was coordinated by the 641 Brigade of the 64 Division under command to the Security Force HQ -Mullaittivu on 31 January 2022.
The programme was conducted by Mr K Keerthikan, Manager at Mullaittivu District Agriculture Training Centre.
Few senior Officers, including the 642 Brigade Commander attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Security Force HQ- Jaffna conducted one more round of coordinating discussion on “Green agriculture” with Mr. Shammugarasa Siwasri, the Divisional Secretary for Thelippalei when the latter called on the General Officer Commanding 51 Division and Jaffna District Coordinator, Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe at the 51 Division Headquarters on Thursday (3).
During the cordial interaction meeting that followed, both of them exchanged views on matters related to “Green Agriculture” programme in order to enhance the organic fertilizer production by focusing “Yala” season. After the formal discussion, the Divisional Secretary –Thelippalai undertook a field visit to the organic fertilizer production site of the 51 Division and paid his gratitude to the Sri Lanka Army for the efforts taken in order to uplift the “Green Agriculture” proses.
Brigade Commanders of 551 and 515 Brigade and Staff Officers of the Division participated in the formal discussion.
Meanwhile, the 23 Division of the Security Force HQ- East conducted an awareness workshop on ‘Green Agriculture and Production of Organic Fertilizer’ on Tuesday (01) at the Pulathisi Mandapa Hall in Polonnaruwa.
The session was conducted by Mr. K R Thilakasiri, the Principal Agriculturist at Bathalegoda Rice Research and Development Institute, and discussed matters pertaining to the “Green Agriculture and Production of Organic Fertilizer”.
District Secretary for Polonnaruwa Mr. W A Dharmasiri, the General Officer Commanding 23 Division Major General Nalin Koswatte and several agrarian officials in the Polonnaruwa region and responsible Army personnel took part in the workshop.
Likewise, the 21 Division coordinated another awareness program pertaining to the “Green Agriculture” with the support of the District Secretariat at Anuradhapura on 02 February at the 21 Division premises. 225 participants including civil and military personnel participated in the workshop.
During the workshop, agricultural experts provided sound knowledge pertaining to the “Green Agriculture” concept and delivered lectures related to the production of organic fertilizer and Green Agriculture Projects.
Anuradhapura District Secretary Mr. J.M.J.K Jayasundara and Major General Mohan Rathnayaka, General Officer Commanding, 21 Division participated in the workshop as Chief Guests.
In the meantime, Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe, General Officer Commanding, 51 Division on Wednesday (9) had a meeting with the District Secretary for Jaffna, Mr. K Mahesan at Jaffna District Secretariat where he discussed matters related to coordination for Green Agriculture and Vaccination Programmes, now underway in the peninsula as per guidelines given by Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa, Commander, Security Forces-Jaffna.
Both closely discussed possibilities to accelerate those processes throughout the Jaffna peninsula and he informed the District Secretary of the availability of armed forces for support during the cordial interactive meeting. Mr. K Mahesan paid his gratitude to the Sri Lanka Army for the efforts being taken to implement the Government's Green Agricultural Programme and also COVID 19 pandemic prevention contribution.
Assistant District Secretary - Jaffna, Commander 512 Brigade and Deputy Commissioner Agrarian Services - Jaffna and Staff Officers of the Division participated in the meeting, held adhering to health guidelines.
In the meantime, one more conference on 'Green Agriculture' was held at Kandy District Secretary's office on 11 February 2022 with the participation of the District Secretary Kandy and Major General Kalpa Sanjeewa, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division and a section of Officials.
During this discussion, purchase of compost productions, improvement to the quality of productions, organizing communities and awareness projects, etc were reviewed and discussed.
Meanwhile, one more educative workshop on ‘Green Agriculture’ was held at the Sri Lanka Agriculture College in Pallekele on 10 February. Major General Kalpa Sanjeewa, General Officer Commanding, 11 Division too attended the workshop.
District Agriculture Director and Assistant Govijana Seva Director of Kandy district, Govijana Seva officers representing 45 development centres, members from farmers associations, and Army representatives attended the workshop.
Meanwhile, 3(V) Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) troops of the 682 Brigade under command to the 68 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu coordinated the conduct of an awareness programme on Organic Fertilizer production on 18 February with the coordinating of Mr. S Selwapakkayam who has already succeeded in producing liquid Organic Fertilizers in Puthukkuddiyirippu, Kaiweli area.
25 farmers in Kaiweli area participated in the awareness program and they were able to resolve many problematic they faced. The Commanding Officer of 3 VIR Major D.G.W.M.S.P Wijekoon closely supervised the programme.
Mrs. V. Vidupa and Mr. Prsad, Agrarian Officers of Puthukuduiruppu Agrarian Office, Mr. A Prabhakaran, Agrarian Adviser, Mr. N.K. Nepan, organic liquid fertilizer production consultant, Officers and Other Ranks of the 3 VIR participated in the project.
In the meantime, the Security Force HQ-Mullaittivu launched few more awareness programmes, related to use and production of organic fertilizer for civilians and Army personnel during 21- 22 February.
Those projects were held at Walluwaarpuram Tamil School, Sugandhipuram Community Hall and Puthukkudiyiruppu Grama Seva Office where more than 50 members of the farming community in those respective areas took place.
With the support of 6 Gemunu Watch, 6 Sri Lanka Nation Guard and 9 Sri Lanka National Guard troops of 681 and 682 Brigades, those awareness sessions were conducted as per guidance of Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe, Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu and under the close supervision of Keerthi Bandara, General Officer Commanding, 68 Division.
Few Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks belonging to the 68 Division participated in the programme.
