Prof. G. Mikunthan, Head of the Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna was full of praise for the Army’s contribution to farming in the peninsula.
He observed that it was amazing to see how dry and sandy soil in Champiyanpaththu area was being used by farmers to grow vegetables with the active support of the Army troops serving the peninsula.
Prof. Mikunthan spoke high of good relations, being maintained between civilians and soldiers in respective areas of the peninsula while addressing local media at the Civil Affairs and Public Relations Office, Jaffna, in connection with the ‘Home Garden Competition’ organized by the Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SF-J).
A six-member evaluation team, consisting Head of the Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna Prof. G. Mikunthan, Dean Faculty of Agriculture University of Jaffna Dr. Mrs. S. Sivachanthiran, a research scientist of Michigan State University USA Ms. Hashini Galhena Dissanayake, Mr. R. Rajeswaran of Kopay Maha Vidyalaya, Mr. R.A. Sritharan of Kokuvil Hindu College and Mr. P. Perimpanayagam of Neervely Athyar Hindu College, visited and inspected 30 Home Gardens, selected for the final round. Of them, best 15 gardens were selected. Security Forces, Jaffna (SF-J) with directives from Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander, SF-J, assisted a total of 250 farmers across the peninsula to have home gardens in their compounds.
“We spoke to some farmers and they told us that Army personnel helped them a lot to begin home gardens. We learnt that soldiers had prepared the land, provided seeds and fertilizer to them. We also gathered a lot of experience. It is really challenging to grow vegetables successfully in some areas such as Champiyanpaththu in the 55 Division area, but efforts of the soldiers and enthusiasm of farmers managed to overcome all the hardships. I should state that the contribution of soldiers has been immense,” the Professor claimed.
The evaluation team suggested that this project be also extended to Vanni area too. Dr. Mrs. S. Sivachanthiran and Ms Hashini Galhena Dissanayake also contributed to the media briefing.
Prof. Mikunthan further said that the home garden concept would provide food, nutrition, income and above all, the mental relaxation to people.
CIMIC Home Garden Competition 2011 was organized by the SF-J to introduce the “Api Vavamu Rata Nagamu” agriculture development project, launched by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and to support the economy of low income families in Jaffna.
Arrangements have been made to award valuable prizes to the winners.
He observed that it was amazing to see how dry and sandy soil in Champiyanpaththu area was being used by farmers to grow vegetables with the active support of the Army troops serving the peninsula.
Prof. Mikunthan spoke high of good relations, being maintained between civilians and soldiers in respective areas of the peninsula while addressing local media at the Civil Affairs and Public Relations Office, Jaffna, in connection with the ‘Home Garden Competition’ organized by the Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SF-J).
A six-member evaluation team, consisting Head of the Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna Prof. G. Mikunthan, Dean Faculty of Agriculture University of Jaffna Dr. Mrs. S. Sivachanthiran, a research scientist of Michigan State University USA Ms. Hashini Galhena Dissanayake, Mr. R. Rajeswaran of Kopay Maha Vidyalaya, Mr. R.A. Sritharan of Kokuvil Hindu College and Mr. P. Perimpanayagam of Neervely Athyar Hindu College, visited and inspected 30 Home Gardens, selected for the final round. Of them, best 15 gardens were selected. Security Forces, Jaffna (SF-J) with directives from Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander, SF-J, assisted a total of 250 farmers across the peninsula to have home gardens in their compounds.
“We spoke to some farmers and they told us that Army personnel helped them a lot to begin home gardens. We learnt that soldiers had prepared the land, provided seeds and fertilizer to them. We also gathered a lot of experience. It is really challenging to grow vegetables successfully in some areas such as Champiyanpaththu in the 55 Division area, but efforts of the soldiers and enthusiasm of farmers managed to overcome all the hardships. I should state that the contribution of soldiers has been immense,” the Professor claimed.
The evaluation team suggested that this project be also extended to Vanni area too. Dr. Mrs. S. Sivachanthiran and Ms Hashini Galhena Dissanayake also contributed to the media briefing.
Prof. Mikunthan further said that the home garden concept would provide food, nutrition, income and above all, the mental relaxation to people.
CIMIC Home Garden Competition 2011 was organized by the SF-J to introduce the “Api Vavamu Rata Nagamu” agriculture development project, launched by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and to support the economy of low income families in Jaffna.
Arrangements have been made to award valuable prizes to the winners.
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