High Commission of India in association with Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) organized a webinar on “Production of Nutrients Enriched Biochar for Organic Agriculture” by Dr. Manish Kumar, Principal Scientist, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Material Technology, Bhubaneswar, India on 09 November 2021. It was attended by about 70 participants including Scientists, academics and policy makers of Sri Lanka where deliberations were held on conversion of bio wastes into Biochar for use in Organic Agriculture.
Prof. Gamini Senanayake, Chairman, SLCARP in his introductory remark highlighted the importance of the webinar in the pretext of the decision of the Government of Sri Lanka to adopt organic agriculture practices.
In his brief remarks, Dr. Sushil Kumar, Head of Technical Cooperation in the High Commission highlighted that Agriculture is a vital component of the multi-dimensional India – Sri Lanka partnership. Academic & research collaboration are being undertaken under the ‘Work Plan’ signed between the SLCARP and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Other prominent participants at webinar included Dr Gamini Samarasinghe, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Samanthi Wasala, Deputy Director General of Agriculture, Dr Deepani Alawathugoda, Additional Conservator of Forest and Amb. Sumith Nakandala, Former Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.