The Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, in collaboration with the Faculty Outreach Committee and with financial support from JICA PRECIDA University of Jaffna, successfully conducted a one-day workshop on "Organic Fertilizer Production: Composting and Vermicomposting" on 24 July 2026 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi.
The workshop was organized to enhance the knowledge and practical skills of farmers and agri- entrepreneurs in producing quality compost and vermicompost for sustainable agriculture. A total of 62 participants, including 45 farmers and agri-entrepreneurs representing all five districts of the Northern Province, attended the programme.
The technical sessions were conducted by the academic staff of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry and the Faculty of Agriculture. Snr. Prof. Nalina Gnanavelrajah delivered a session on Quality Compost Production and Sri Lanka Standards, while Dr. Ambihai Shayanthan (Senior Lecturer) presented Modern Composting Technologies and the Use of Biofertilizers. The programme also featured an experience-sharing session by the founders of Jega Regenerative Integrated Farm (JERIF), winners of the 2025 Composting Competition, who shared their entrepreneurial journey in organic fertilizer production.
The practical session provided participants with hands-on training in compost production. It was conducted by Mr. S. Sritharan (Farm Manager), and Mrs. Kasthuri Kajeevan - Lecturer (prob.) Department of Agricultural Chemistry, which demonstrated compost pile preparation and best management practices, enabling participants to apply the knowledge gained during the technical sessions.
The Department of Agricultural Chemistry organized a Laboratory Induction Session for final-year research students (33rd Batch) to facilitate the smooth and effective conduct of their research activities. The session aimed to familiarize students with laboratory regulations, safety procedures, good laboratory practices, and the proper use of equipment and facilities available in the department.
The induction programme was conducted by the Academic staff and Technical officers. The induction session provided students with valuable insights into laboratory management, research ethics, safety protocols, and best practices essential for the successful completion of their research projects.
Mrs. Kasthuri Kajeevan participated in a two-week international training program on Digital and Geospatial Technologies for Agricultural Monitoring and Decision Support, held at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India, from March 9th to 20th, 2026. This training opportunity under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scholarship, which was awarded by the Consulate General of India in Jaffna through the Consul General, Shri Sai Murali. The program was supported by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
The training brought together 35 participants from 18 countries across the Commonwealth countries, representing diverse agricultural disciplines and institutional backgrounds. Participants engaged in a series of well-structured modules designed to build their skills in geospatial technologies, remote sensing, and digital tools for agricultural monitoring and decision-making. The program was designed to enhance knowledge and technical capacity in the application of digital technologies, climate smart practices, and sustainable agricultural development. It also provided an excellent platform for knowledge exchange, professional networking, and exposure to global agricultural innovations.
A one-day workshop titled “GIS and Remote Sensing Applications in Agriculture, Land Resources, and Environmental Management” was successfully conducted on 14 December 2025 from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, under the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) International Student and Young Professional (SYP) Summit 2025.
The initial information regarding the call for proposals under the IEEE GRSS SYP Summit 2025 was received through the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna. Subsequently, a workshop proposal was jointly developed and submitted by the mentor, Ms. Kasthuri Kajeevan, Lecturer (Soil Science), Department of Agricultural Chemistry, and the student ambassador, Mr. M. Lenugoban, Soil Science Special Student (33rd Batch), both representing the Department of Agricultural Chemistry.
The resource person, Mr. G. Naveendrakumar, Senior Lecturer, University of Vavuniya, delivered an informative and interactive session that effectively covered both theoretical concepts and applied aspects relevant to the respective disciplines.
World Soil Day (December 5, 2025) celebration was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture (Northern Province) in collaboration with the Kilinochchi District Secretariat on December 12, 2025. On the request of the Ministry of Agriculture to the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, the Department of Agricultural Chemistry (Soil Science) initiated this public outreach programme in collaboration with the Environmental Association of the Faculty of Agriculture (EAFA), and the Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna. This event was held at the Skill Development Centre, District Secretariat, Kilinochchi, and was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture.
A special address was delivered in Tamil by Dr. (Mrs.) A. Shayanthan, Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Chemistry (Soil Science), on the topic. “மண் ஆரோக்கியம்: பசுமை உலகின் அடித்தளம்.” The Soil Science and Environmental Association activities were guided by Senior. Prof. (Mrs.) N. Gnanavelrajah, Dr. (Mrs.) A. Shayanthan and Mrs. K. Kajeevan.
An exhibition was arranged with the following objectives: to create awareness of soil health and sustainable soil management; to disseminate research findings of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry related to effective composting from locally available organic sources; to promote awareness of permaculture and environmentally friendly agricultural practices; and to address the management of soil-borne pathogens. The target audiences were farmers, school students, and the general public. Tamil was used as the medium of communication through posters and videos to ensure effective outreach. A total of 2 farming models, 6 posters, and 4 awareness videos were displayed.
A discussion on the Permaculture Model Plot Establishment and Field Selection for 2025 was held on 18 November 2025 with Mr. S. Sunthareswaran, cocreator of Uyirmai Collective in the meeting room of the JICA Building. This was followed by a visit to the permaculture model farm and a practical demonstration at Uyirmai Collective, Kannati, Vavuniya, for the 33rd batch of Soil Science special students and staff.
Composting competition was jointly organized by Jaffna Science Association: Section B (2025) (JSA-B) and Environmental Association Faculty of Agriculture (EAFA), Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna. Dr. (Mrs). A. Shayanthan, Dr. N. Thiruchchelvan, Dr. K. Jeyavanan and Mr.K. Kajeevan are the evaluators for the competition.
