Introduction

If I hear it, I forget it. If I see it, I remember it If I discover it, I own it for life.

The Farmer Field School is a form of adult education, which evolved from the concept that farmers learn optimally from field observation and experimentation. It was developed to help farmers tailor their Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to diverse and dynamic ecological conditions

In regular sessions from planting till harvest, groups of neighboring farmers observe and discuss dynamics of the crop’s ecosystem. Simple experimentation helps farmers further improve their understanding of functional relationships (e.g. pests-natural enemy population dynamics and crop damage-yield relationships). In this cyclical learning process, farmers develop the expertise that enables them to make their own crop management decisions. Special group activities encourage learning from peers, and strengthen communicative skills and group building.

IPM Farmer Field Schools were started in 1989 in Indonesia to reduce farmer reliance on pesticides in rice. Policy-makers and donors were impressed with the results and the program rapidly expanded. Follow-up training activities were added to enhance community-based activities and local program ownership. Eventually, IPM Farmer Field School programs for rice were carried out in twelve Asian countries and gradually branched out to vegetables, cotton and other crops. From the mid-nineties onwards, the experience generated in Asia was used to help initiate IPM Farmer Field School programs in other parts of the world. New commodities were added and local adaptation and institutionalization of these programs was encouraged. At present, IPM Farmer Field School programs, at various levels of development, are being conducted in over 30 countries worldwide.

These diverse programs have generated a variety of data on the impact of the IPM Farmer Field School. Such data generally are presented in project reports that have a limited circulation. Impact studies that are published in official literature tend to focus on specific aspects of impact. Impact studies varied in focus, approach, methodology and robustness. Some lack description of methods. The nature of impact studies typically varies with the developmental stages of programs. Pilot projects often compared pesticide use and yields or profits of field plots grown with IPM practices and those under regular farmer practice, to demonstrate the merit of the approach. More advanced projects evaluated the adoption of IPM practices, studied expertise or recorded the developmental impacts resulting from farmer empowerment.

Principles

“Grow a healthy crop” allows plants to recover better from environmental or pest injury, avoids nutrient deficiencies related with pest attack (insects and disease), and promotes natural defences to many insects and diseases inherent in plants. Proper crop and plant management methods used [Academic term: cultural controls].

“Conserve natural enemies” provides free biological control of insects and diseases. Parasites, predators and pathogens have long been recognised to control pest insects, but recent research shows microbial antagonists, and competitors of plant diseases are also important. Vertebrate natural enemies are also essential for control systems. Conservation usually implies avoiding inappropriate pesticide applications (herbicides, fungicides and insecticides all have impact on insect and disease natural enemies) or improving soil organic matter necessary for beneficial soil micro-organisms. Natural enemy habitat protection and development are more active methods of conserving natural enemies (e.g. owl houses, mulching for spiders, floral nectaries for parasites). Inoculation or inundation of reared natural enemies may be possible under special circumstances but usually only after conservation efforts have already been implemented. [Academic term: biological control].

“Observe crops regularly” means informed decision making for appropriate interventions to be made quickly for water, soil, and plant management. Inputs used are based on an ecologic economic assessment. [Academic term: Input analysis].

“Farmers become experts” in their own fields is crucial for long term management of soils, pests and crops. Expertise implies a basic understanding of the agro-ecological system, and decision making processes. Simple rules and directives may provide short term benefits but cannot sustain long term local developments.

Basic Concepts

Doubtless there are many other programmes besides IPM field Schools which have succeeded to provide good educational results. Much of the field school ideas grew out of the traditions of literacy education and village-level basic health care. Similar programmes have been developed for soils, and livestock in other regions. The field Schools are not a new idea, just an effective idea that has been ignored by those caught in the system of top-down research message delivery and who too often turn a deaf hear to the conventional wisdom of farmers. Some farmer participants say that the IPM field Schools succeed because they provide basic scientific conceptual frameworks and knowledge in very democratically run field groups... and of course because farmers make more money with less inputs.

Below are basic concepts which are common to field Schools across many countries.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.       <!--[endif]-->Adult non-formal education: Field Schools assume that farmers already have a wealth of experience, and knowledge. It also assumes that there may be misconceptions and bad habits learned during intensification programmes (e.g. little knowledge of natural enemies, basic fear of any insect that is seen in the field, etc.). Therefore the field Schools are oriented to providing basic agro-ecological knowledge and skills, but in a participatory manner so that farmer experience is integrated into the programme. For example, when observing in the field, facilitators will ask farmers what something is such as a natural enemy and ask who know what it might eat. Farmers give their response, and the facilitator adds his/her knowledge. If there is a disagreement between anyone, the facilitator and participants will set up simple studies to find the correct answer. In one field school farmers were discussing whether a certain lady beetle was a predator of pests or a pest of the plant. One farmer bet another on their choice. The facilitator showed how to put the lady beetle in a jars - one jar with pest prey and the other with leaves. The result was that the lady beetle ate the insects and the loser had to carry the winner around the village on his back! In fact there are both kinds of lady beetles but one type is ‘hairy’ and the other not. This was seen by the farmers.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.       <!--[endif]-->Technically strong facilitator: The field school is usually initiated by an extension staff member of the government, farmers’ organization, or NGO. But in all cases the person must have certain skills. Most important is that the person is skilled at growing the crop concerned. In most countries, the extension staff have never grown crops ‘from seed to seed’ and most often lack confidence. For this reason, most IPM programmes have begun with training field staff in season-long courses which provide basic technical skills for growing and managing an IPM crop. Some people have called this the “Farmer respect course” in that field staff come to realise how difficult farming is, and why farmers do not immediately “adopt” their “extension messages”. Facilitation skills and group dynamic/group building methods are also included in this season to strengthen the education process in the field Schools. An uncertain trainer is a poor trainer. A confident trainer can say “I don’t know - let’s find out together” much easier when the inevitable unknown situation is encountered in the field.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.       <!--[endif]-->Based on crop phenology and time limited: The field Schools and season long training for trainers are based on the crop phenology; seedling issues are studied during the seedling stage, fertiliser issues are discussed during high nutrient demand stages, and so on. This method allows to use the crop as a teacher, and to ensure that farmers can immediately use and practice what is being learned. Meeting on a weekly basis means that farmers are participating in a course for a whole season, but from an administrative/financial point of view, the same 40 hours as in an intensive one week programme. The educational benefits of meeting when problems are present (learner readiness), and on a recurrent basis have been studied and shown to be far more effective that intensive courses. Also the courses are delimited by the crop cycle. There is a definite beginning and end. The present system of many extension programmes of unending two week cycles removes focus, and excitement. Field schools may extend beyond one season if groups agree, but rarely can be effective when less than the phenological cycle of the crop.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.       <!--[endif]-->Group study: Most field Schools are organised for groups of about 25 persons with common interests can support each other, both with their individual experience and strengths, and to create a “critical mass”. As individuals, trying something new is often socially inappropriate (e.g. reducing sprays, cover crops), but with group support, trying something new becomes acceptable. The number of 25 is roughly the number that can comfortably work together with one facilitator. Usually these 25 are sub-divided into groups of five persons so that all members can better participate in field observations, analysis, discussion, and presentations.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.       <!--[endif]-->Field School Site: The field Schools are always held in the community where farmers live so that they can easily attend weekly and maintain the field school studies. The extension officer travels to the site on the day of the field school

<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.       <!--[endif]-->Building groups: One of the jobs of the facilitator is to assist the field school to develop as a support group so that participants can support one another after the field school is over. This is done by having elected officers (head, treasurer, and secretary), and group identity. The field school needs its own name - never the name of the founding organization! No hats, or shirts are given out. A budget may be prepared for this, but the group should make the design and have their own name on these. During the season, the field school includes group building exercises to build group trust and coherence. The field school may also include such activities as long-term planning (log frames), and proposal writing to find funding for activities groups decide to do together. Funding may come from a number of sources including from within the group itself, local shop owners, local governments, NGOs, or national programmes.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.       <!--[endif]-->Basic science: Field Schools try to focus on basic processes through field observations, season-long research studies, hands-on activities. It has been found that when farmers have learned about basics, combined with their own experiences and needs, they make decisions that are effective. When farmers have this basic knowledge they are better clients for extension and research systems because they have more specific questions and demands. They also are able to hold these systems accountable for their output and benefits. And finally they are able to protect themselves from dubious sources.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.       <!--[endif]-->Study fields [non-risk]: The field school has a small (usually about 1000 m2) field for group study. This is the core of the Field Schools. This field is essential for a field school because farmers can carry out studies without personal risk allowing them to take management decisions that they might not otherwise attempt in trials on their own farm. This provides farmers a way of testing a new method themselves before applying it to their own fields. It also allows for more interesting research topics such as defoliation simulations in which leaves are removed. The arrangement for this field varies based on local conditions. Some villages have communal lands that can be used for free, some villages may request on inputs, others areas may request compensation in case of lower yields in experiments, etc.. It is important to remember however that this land is to be maintained by the group - not by the facilitator alone - and is not a typical “demo-plot” as traditionally used in many programmes.

Characteristics

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.       <!--[endif]-->Farmers as Experts:  Learning by doing is the training approach used. Farmers learn by carrying out for themselves the various activities related to the particular farming practice they want to study and learn about. This could be related to annual crops, livestock/fodder production, orchards or forest management. The key thing is that farmers conduct their own field studies. Their training is based on comparison studies (of different treatments) and field studies that they, not the extension/ research staff conduct. In so doing they become experts on the particular practice they are investigating.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.       <!--[endif]-->The Field is the Primary Learning Material: All learning is based in the field. The field is where the farmers learn. Working in small sub-groups they collect data in the field, analyse the data, make action decisions based on their analyses of the data, and present their decisions to the other farmers in the field school for further discussion, questioning, and refinement.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.       <!--[endif]-->Extension Workers as Facilitators Not Teachers: The role of the extension worker is very much that of a facilitator rather than a conventional teacher. Once the farmer know what it is they have to do, and what it is that they can observe in the field, the extension worker takes a back seat role, only offering help and guidance when asked to do so. Presentations during meetings are the work of the farmers not the extension worker, with the members of each working group assuming responsibility for presenting their findings in turn to their fellow farmers. The extension worker may take part in the subsequent discussion sessions but as a contributor, rather than leader, in arriving at an agreed consensus on what action needs to be taken at that time.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.       <!--[endif]-->The curriculum is Integrated: The curriculum is integrated. Crop husbandry, animal husbandry, horticulture, silviculture, land husbandry are considered together with ecology, economics, sociology and education to form a holistic approach. Problems confronted in the field are the integrating principle.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.       <!--[endif]-->Trainings Follows the Seasonal Cycle:Training is related to the seasonal cycle of the practice being investigated. For annual crops this would extend from land preparation to harvesting. For fodder production would include the dry season to evaluate the quantity and quality at a time of year when livestock feeds are commonly in short supply. For tree production and such conservation measures as hedgerows and grass strips training would need to continue over several years for farmers to be able to see for themselves the full range of costs and benefits.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.       <!--[endif]-->Regular Group Meetings: Farmers meet at agreed regular intervals. For annual crops such meetings may be every 1 or 2 weeks during the cropping season. For other farm/forestry management practices the time between each meeting would depend on what specific activities need to be done, or be related to critical periods of the year when there are key issues to observe and discuss in the field.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.       <!--[endif]-->Learning materials are learner generated: Farmers generate their own learning materials, from drawings of what they observe, to the field trials themselves. These materials are always consistent with local conditions, are less expensive to develop, are controlled by the learners and thus can be discussed by the learners with others. Learners know the meaning of the materials because they have created the materials.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.       <!--[endif]-->Group dynamics/team building:Training includes communication skill building, problem solving, leadership, and discussion methods. Farmers require these skills. Successful activities at the community level require that farmers can apply effective leadership skills and have the ability to communicate their findings to others.

Great Achievements indeed. Land Grant Colleges in the USA includes and has the responsibility for Agriculture and other Extension functions in addition to Basic Sciences, Liberal Arts and Humanities. As "The Punjab Agricultural University now has four constituent colleges, viz. College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering, College of Home science and College of Basic Sciences & Humanities." NP model can be based on the Land Grant Colleges but taking into consideration that the land and its functions is limited to the NP though the whole country can benefit, especially as a model for higher education instead of the model that Univ of Jaffna had inherited and in my view out of date considering the knowledge explosion. A full review of higher education and higher education institution in the North is urgently needed. Prof Sivakumaran's input and outlook will benefit such a review.

Punjab Agricultural University was established in 1962 to serve the state of erstwhile Punjab. The Punjab Agricultural University is located in Ludhiana city (Punjab State) in north-west India at a distance of 316 km from New Delhi. It is well connected by road and rail with the national capital. Situated on the Ludhiana - Ferozepur Road, the University covers an area of 1510 acres on its main campus and 4615 acres at the regional research stations. Modeled on the pattern of land grant colleges in U.S.A., the PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY performs the integrated functions of teaching, research and extension in agriculture, agricultural engineering, home science and allied disciplines. The University has well equipped laboratories, library and lecture rooms and elaborate farm facilities. Hostel accommodation is available in the university hostels for single students. Married students, if accompanied by their family members, will have to find accommodation outside the campus.

The PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY has played a key role in increasing food grain production in the Punjab State several folds share its reputation and ushering in an era of Green Revolution in India. It has also made notable contributions in increasing livestock and poultry production. In recognition of its outstanding achievements in agricultural research, education and extension, it was adjudged the Best Agricultural University in India in 1995.

The Punjab Agricultural University now has four constituent colleges, viz. College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering, College of Home science and College of Basic Sciences & Humanities.

At present the University, through 28 departments in the four constituent colleges, offers 31 Master's and 30 Ph.D. programmes. The course curricula are constantly revised and restructured to keep pace with the latest developments in agriculture and allied fields.

Facts

Area: 580 hectare

Off campus area: 2000 hectare

Research stations: 10

Seeds farms:  05

Faculty:           866

Non-teaching: 3071

·      The Vice-Chancellor

·      Registrar

·      Dean College of Agriculture & Animal Science

·      Dean College of Food technology & Home Science

·      Director of Research

·      Director of Extension Education

·      Director of Students' Welfare

·      Comptroller

·      Director of Farms & Estate Management

Achievements

PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY played a key role to usher-in the first green revolution which transformed the socio-economic life of the peasantry of the region. It enabled the country to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains. This became possible through developing:

1.     Improved varieties and hybrids of field crops, fruits and vegetables.

2.     Production and protection technologies.

3.     Appropriate mechanization of farm operations.

4.     PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY was declared the best state agricultural university in 1995 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

5.     ICAR has set up five centres of Advanced Studies at PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY (Of these three are now in GADVASU).

6.     PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY was given special grant of Rs One Billion by the Centre in 2006-07, as an acknowledgement of its role in eliminating food shortages and alleviating hunger.

7.     PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY plant breeders produced the first hybrid grain pearl millet in the world.

8.     PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY soil scientists evolved reclamation technology for salt affected soil covering 0.7 million hectares.

Punjab with 1.53 per cent geographical area contributes about 60 per cent wheat and 45 per cent rice to the central food grain kitty. This is a consequence of path-breaking research at PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY backed by world-class teaching and extension services provided at the doorstep of farmers, and the continuous Government policy support.

Contribution to Society

PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY wheat varieties, PBW 343 sown on 2.9 million hectare in Punjab, accrues to farmers benefits worth Rs. 8,900 million, annually.

·      Zero tillage means a saving of Rs. 2,500 per hectare. This technology has been adopted on 0.5 million hectare. Net annual saving in cost of cultivation estimated at Rs. 1,250 million.

·      Punjab bee-keepers produce 26 per cent of India's total honey.

·      Punjab mushroom growers account for 50 per cent of India's total mushroom production.

·      Food grain production in Punjab has jumped from 3.2 million tonnes in 1960-61 to 25.9 million tonnes in 2004-05, against India's 205 million tonnes from 82 million tonnes, i.e. more than 8 times as compared to 2.5 times of the country in the corresponding period.

·      Punjab's share in India's food grain production was 13 per cent in 2004-05 against a mere 4 per cent in 1960-61; such has been the impact of the green revolution ushered-in by PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

Referring the messages 41 (Mr.Thiruchelvan), and 46 (Dr.Ethir), I too have the similar opinion to have a University for Science and Technology. As Dr.Ethir mentioned that the degree program should be more practical and application oriented rather merely theoretical, which will not satisfy the present employment needs. Graduates have to be tuned in the degree program itself to emerge out as a best person to opt industrial and entrepreneurial sector without hesitating and waiting for the ‘White colour jobs’. What we need a multidisciplinary degree which will give all essential aspects to a graduate to stand alone. Science, technology, management and essential skills are the needed ones. A degree with all these inputs inbuilt will resolve the existing problem of employment and production.  If Singapore can emerge to this height, why not we?. Biotechnology and Nanotechnology needs applications in all fields especially in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and other natural resources. And we need to invent the next technology for the 22^nd Century. Sri Lanka has the power to do so as there are many scientists in the front line in science and technology. We should pool them and get their advices, ideas and should materialize for the benefit of the next generation.

The new technology stream in A/L needs an additional boost to cater the students at the University level. Before that we have to be prepared to meet the requirements to fuel to their innovative ideas. The message I got from respected Professors from Peradeniya agriculture faculty is that since agriculture and engineering are jointly establishing at Kilinochchi, these two faculties can work together to build a platform for these thoughts. 

I am happy that this e-conference has created a platform to bring invaluable thoughts to discuss, debate and to materialize.

Considering that specialisation in various subject areas take place when a student is 17 yrs from A/L with only 3 subjects and the same for another three or four years at the University.   Any higher education institution building must pay heed to the narrow education goals the student is put through for five to six years drilling them for 6 to 7 hours a day during the university years in one field. Such approach does not promote creative and practical abilities in students. 

Such an approach that neglects all related fields and general areas taught by specialists that an educated person should receive stunts the creative abilities of graduates and their ignorance of other fields that affect their specialization.

It is important to widen the subject areas of students at the A/L and at least the first one or two years of university education should include related and general subject areas that a graduate from a university should learn in addition to their specialization. The Agriculture, fisheries, Engineering and Technology fields can be Faculties in addition to other relevant disciplines needed.

My suggestion is for the Northern Province to establish a University of Science and Technology that offers a five-year degree program and post graduate program in specialised subjects that are in need in the NP.  The first two years should require students to take introductory survey courses in liberal arts and science courses related and applicable to their field of concentration.

Two separate periods of one year of the student should be in "Industrial Training" in the field. The degree project requirement needs to be on practical topics that would be applicable in the field of work. A well rounded education at the undergraduate level will help them to analyse the problems they will encounter in the field and devise applicable holistic solutions than looking at the problem from only the technical aspect and propose unsustainable solutions.

I hope those who plan higher education institutions in the North consider above suggestions.

Ethir

Applications of Remote sensing technology in regional planning and development

I am Mr.K.Arjunan working as Assistant Lecturer in Dept of Bio Science, Faculty of Applied Science of the Vavuniya Campus.

 I have been working on environmental science subjects.

After the prolonged conflict situation in northern and eastern province of Sri Lanka rapid livelihood, infrastructure, rehabilitation development projects under taken by government as well as non-governmental organizations. These institutions are in the need of providing the facilities for rehabilitated people within short period of time to ensure their basic needs in their resettlement areas. These projects change the natural landscape or land use patterns and in some instances they result the deterioration of forest ecosystems. Records on tremendous changes in the forest cover because of illegal encroachment, resettlement, shifting cultivation are not up to date and   the last survey was conducted by forest department in 2005. Deforestation not only affects the climate by increasing the atmospheric level of carbon dioxide but also affects the environment by inhibiting water recycling, triggering severe flooding, aquifer depletion, soil degradation and the extinction of plant and animal species. Hence frequent monitoring and management of forest ecosystems is essential for the habitat restoration planning. Remote sensing is the technique of deriving information about objects on the surface of the earth without physically coming into contact with them. Multi spectral satellite imageries such as MODIS LANDSAT products can be used for the analysis of spatio- temporal  changes of different territories (forest) in the perspective of  planning the projects , manage the resources  in the future  to sustain ecological health and for betterment of future generation.  Hence mapping of existing forest  cover  is important to prevent further forest degradation and  climate change  and  find out the environmentally vulnerable  deforested  area (catchment areas, mangrove areas)  for further modification/ improvement  in Northern  and Eastern  part of Sri Lanka.

K.Arjunan
Assistant Lecturer,

Dept of Bio Science

Faculty of Applied Science , 

Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna

I am Mrs P.Selvaratnam. I am a retired teacher. 08justice at gmail.com, 8 August 2014 01:25

I am interested in Sustainable Development in the North and the East. I am very pleased to note very innovative ideas in the messages posted here. The utmost importance and urgency of the messages is reinforced by

 #Message10. Thank you, Dr Santhirasegaram, for finding out what has been happening to the aid funds and posting it here.

 #Message 35.  also touches on the government's attitude to Northern Development. But it's a crime that Hindus are overspending on temples.

The messages on this e-conference give me a lot of hope that the people of the North can pool their ideas to go forward.

As many messages are underlined by Sustainable Development I wish to bring the following to the attention of the participants - please pardon me if you have already noted it: 

Drought: A result of wide ranging environmental, Socio-economic and political factors, Ranjit Mulleriyawa, 5 August 2014, http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=107997

The Northern Province Agriculture University should be established at Killinochchi.

The Northern Province Agriculture University will be the primary and the principal instrumentality of the Northern Province in providing human resources, and skills and technology, required for the sustainable development of its agriculture, defined broadly encompassing all production activities based on land and water, including crop production (agriculture), animal husbandry, forestry and fishery through conducting, interfacing and integrating education, research and extension in these spheres of economic endeavour.

The Northern Province Agriculture University will be characterized by their triple mandate of teaching, research and agricultural extension. The mission of the University will be a center of excellence in teaching, research and extension education in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. The University aims will be to develop sustainable farming systems for improving productivity and profitability in agriculture and allied sectors and also train the farmers and extension functionaries for the effective dissemination of advanced agricultural technologies in Northern Sri Lanka. The University will act as an important link in the chain for converting agriculture and allied vocations into profitable enterprises and offering food and nutritional security for the people of Northern Province.

The Vice-Chancellor will be the principal executive and academic officer of the University who will be assisted by the Registrar, the Comptroller (Finance Officer), Deans of the Faculties, the Directors of Research, Extension, Physical Plant, Students' Welfare, and the Librarian holding tenurial positions, and will be recognised as the Officers of the University. The Vice-Chancellor will be also the ex-officio Chairman of the General Council, Executive Committee and the Academic Council. 

·     The general administrative control will be vested with the Registrar.

The Comptroller will be responsible for budgeting finance, statements of accounts and audit.

·     The co-ordination, direction and administration of research activities in the University will be vested with the Director of Research. Research activities will be organised and conducted at five District Research Stations.

·      The Director of Extension will be responsible for the extension education and Public relations. Transfer of technology, a mandatory function will be bestowed with the University, will be realised through testing and evaluation of the technologies and innovations under farmers' field conditions assessing their potentials; analysing their potentials for sustainable income and employment and the constraints inhibiting adoption including technological, economic, institutional and infrastructural, social equity including gender sensitivity and employment and environmental compatibility (impact); demonstrating the potentials the field; training of extension personnel; and bringing about institutional and organisational innovations; and making available good quality planting and breeding materials.

·      The Deans and Associate Deans of the various faculties will be in charge of resident teaching and instruction of the respective faculties.

Faulty of Agriculture, Killinochchi

Faculty of Fisheries, Pesalai, Mannar Campus

Faculty of Livestock & Poultry, Omanthai, Vavunia Campus

Faculty of Food Processing & Home Science, Mullaithivu Town Campus

·      The Director of Students' Welfare co-ordinates the welfare activities of students of different faculties under the University. 

·      The Director of Physical Plant will be in charge of the construction and maintenance of buildings, roads, vehicles and machinery.

Very good suggestions Akthar. Jaffna has many ponds that were initially meant as water sinks as the water drains filling the ponds and the overflow going to the next pond and finally the unused excess going to the sea. These ponds should be desilted, cleaned of weeds. 

The Kerny next to Temples served as water sinks also. In Papua New Guinea, the houses had gutters that filled storage tank next to it that provided drinking water. Where there are no wells with drinking water, such harvested rain water will help somewhat. Jaffna peninsula need to explore innovative ideas before opting to get water from Irranamadhu as that process has many issues that has not been studied in depth by ADB, the Government and independent professional, including irrigation and environmental specialists. Anyone who thinks water is not a political issue should re read the history of civilisation and water resources. 

I am M.S Roshan Akther working as temporary demonstrator in Department of Bio-Science, Faculty of Applied Science of the Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna. I have been working on soil, organic farming and water resources. I would like to post the below message in the conference under the sub theme of Agriculture and applied science and technology

Water is the key to life. There is no substitute for water. Unfortunately, only 1% of the water in earth is usable form to us. According to UN, water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century. By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world's population could be living under water stressed conditions. With the existing climate change scenario, almost half the world's population will be living in areas of high water stress by 2030.

Many of the water systems that maintain ecosystem function to survive the human population have become stressed. Climate change is altering patterns of weather and water around the world, causing shortages and droughts in some areas and floods in others. Improper agricultural practices lead to scarce the water and pollute this resource. Rivers, ponds and aquifers are drying up or becoming too polluted to use.

Agriculture requires large quantities of water for irrigation and of good quality for various production processes. Irrigation consumes 70% of freshwater for human use. Especially in northern part of Sri Lanka, the water resources have been diminishing in an alarming rate in last decades. Increasing rate of population and improper urban development have lead to encroachment of tank beds and command area. Few tanks are believed to be entirely disappeared.

This affects the cascade system of ground water recharge resulting frequent drought and flooding in this area. The northern area experiences an acute shortage of drinking water during the dry season and the water supply to the region is not sufficient to meet the demand.

At the same time 40% of rainfall drained to sea without any use. Taking effective measures for conserving the existing water resources and trapping rain water for future use will be the ultimate solution for water scarcity issue.

Rain water harvesting is always a great option to mitigate the water scarcity both household and agricultural field. Establishing a small rain water collection system in house hold with simple sand filter would able to collect significant amount of water to satisfy the household water requirements.

Abandoned wells can be turned as percolation well thus can maintain the ground water table of adjacent area for a prolonged period. These can be saved money which expense for buying the water. Through that, we can face the drought condition successfully. Constructing a farm pond in every paddy field/ agricultural field can store the rain water and reduce the loss of rain water to sea as well increase ground water recharge.

Stored water in the farm pond can be used for irrigation and other socio economic activities such as fishing and azolla cultivation. Azolla can be used as bio fertilizer for field.

The overall awareness should be created among farmers and public about sustainable water usage and rainwater harvesting.

Many thanks,

M.S Roshan Akther,

Temporary Demonstrator,

Department of Bio-Science,

Faculty of Applied Science,

Vavuniya campus,

Mr. Nagarathnam Thiruchchelvan belongs to Faculty of Graduate studies as a post graduate student (M.Phil.) and Research Assistant at Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna.

Nowadays, Sri Lankan government taking country development towards technologically sound, for this tenacity, Ministry of education started a new advanced level platform as technology. It has separate entity for university degree program and right now universities undertaking development of new degree program for this technology zone. They expected intake of university students more than 80,000 in this particular technology subjects for the year of 2018 and also diminish the students’ intake in both arts and commerce and Ministry of youth affairs and skill development they planned to start 13 university colleges all over the country and start diploma programs in technology subjects. Few university colleges already started their academic programs and rest of the colleges start their programs very soon.

This is one site in other place

·       Many research projects are going on entire country with help of some other ministries such as ministry of science and technology provided fund to academia and other researcher to do research projects for country developments. Ministry of traditional and small enterprises helps to promote the self-employment and small industries in our country. Ministry of environment and renewable energy also do a giant research project on biodiversity profiling of our country.

·       Many livelihood projects and agriculture projects are going on specially northern and eastern provinces by the INGOs and Local NGOs. All types of projects are going on with anticipation of country development.

However, as public they did not get the overall benefits from these projects. We can simply say those project activities are unsustainable; because after these project completions there are no further activities or farmers’ community or responsible body fail to continue. Many of the research findings which are in underutilized stage, for an example in terms of agriculture, we all are know it has plenty of sectors. Each sector they have responsible departments or boards; Such as department of agriculture and its divisions, agrarian service center, crop development boards (coconut, palmyrah, etc.), water board, livestock related departments, school of agriculture, agriculture faculties, fisheries departments, agricultural research institutes, food processing institutes and etc. even though among these agricultural bodies they don’t have synchronization as well as they didn't exchange their experts with other bodies, this kind of system is a obstruction for the agriculture sector development.

If, we want to solve these kinds of problems, government rearranges the system. In this rearranged system; firstly formulate an Agricultural University for each province. Then all the agricultural departments and boards belong to this University of Agriculture. Here the vice-chancellor can govern all the sections. Lecturer, directors, and researchers should be interchanging within the system their relevant field. for an example: If a plant breeder works in a breeding station for five years, during that time breeder can have plenty of research findings and experiences, after that he/she transfer to the university as lecturer for next 5 years. During this time those findings and experiences transfer to the students and also breeder can learn more about the subjects. This kind of teaching will improve not only the students but also the teachers.     

This kind of system want adopt for other discipline also such as biotechnology, fisheries, farm machinery management, plant protection, post harvest technology, food processing and etc.  

I hope this system will create the fruitful findings and improvement of country development in terms of Agriculture sectors. 

Mr. N. Thiruchchelvan

Department of Agricultural Biology,

Faculty of Agriculture,

University of Jaffna,

Jaffna 40 000,

Sri Lanka.  

Mobile: +940779225672

The Northern people are reputed or disparaged for their thriftiness. Historically, the propensity to save has been high among the Northern people compared to the people from other parts of the country. This was amidst low rate of National Savings, historically, in Sri Lanka. National Savings as a proportion of the national GDP was 24% in 2012 according to provisional estimates; which was 22% in 2011. Historically, the banking and financial services thrived in the thrifty Jaffna peninsula. Like most other sectors and sub-sectors this sub-sector has been severely affected by the civil war. However, in the aftermath of the civil war there is an upswing in the financial sector’s growth in the north which is reflected in the recent data. Banking, insurance, real estate, etc, contributed 7.7% to the PGDP in 2011 having contributed less than 4% prior to 2006. The financial sector’s contribution to the PGDP has doubled between 2005 (3.9%) and 2011 (7.7%).

The most important opportunity for the financial sector in general and the banking sector in particular in the North (particularly in Jaffna) is the large pool of Diaspora spread throughout the world; especially in Australasia, Europe, and North America. Although remittances from abroad are the largest source of foreign exchange earnings to the country during the past decade it has not resulted in investments that could create employment opportunities locally. At least around 500,000 first and second generation Tamil Diaspora (who are originally from the Northern region) is out there, which is equivalent to half the current total population of the NP (1,058,762). However, we cannot find any significant amount of human capital, portfolio, or direct investments by the Diaspora in the aftermath of the civil war. Unlike many other post-conflict countries around the world Sri Lanka has failed to tap the enormous human and financial resources of the Diaspora. The banking sector should proactively tap the large pool of human and financial capital of the Diaspora population.   

The ‘Diaspora Bonds’ are sovereign bonds issued by governments to its own Diaspora in order to tap their assets in host countries. Diaspora Bonds is a long standing revenue raising mechanism for sovereign governments in many countries such as India, Israel, Philippines, and many Latin American countries that have huge Diaspora populations in affluent countries. The newly formed State of Israel floated its first Diaspora Bond in 1951, perhaps the first of its kind.

Although the Sri Lanka Development Bond (SLDB) floated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka during the past five years are primarily (though not exclusively) targeted at the Sri Lankan Diaspora it has not exploited the potential to any significant extent for a variety of reasons. One of the limitations of the SLDB is that it is one of many revenue raising mechanisms for the government that is not specifically tied to a project or a region within Sri Lanka.  

The private banking sector in Sri Lanka should develop innovative financial products such as the Diaspora Bonds in order to mobilise investment resources for specific projects or development of specific geographical area with which particular Diaspora groups have emotional bond. For example, development of an airport, harbour, highway, or a manufacturing industry could be financed through such Diaspora Bonds targeted at particular Diaspora populations who would potentially have an emotional tie to a particular project or a geographical area.  

MUTTUKRISHNA SARVANANTHAN

Ph.D. (Wales) M.Sc. (Bristol) M.Sc. (Salford) B.A. (Hons) (Delhi)

Development Economist, Principal Researcher, Point Pedro Institute of Development

Thambasetty, Puloly West, Point Pedro, 40000

Northern Province, Sri Lanka

Currently, cash crops (such as onions, chilies, and tobacco), construction, financial services, fishing, and transport (in alphabetic order) are the economic sub-sectors that would qualify as Economic Drivers in the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna.

 However, cash crops (such as onions, chilies, and tobacco), construction of infrastructure (physical and virtual), development/restoration of economic institutions (such as law & order, political & fiscal decentralisation, property rights for land, and financial integration), financial services (banking, insurance, real estate, capital market, etc), fishing, human capital development (such as education and training services), manufacturing industries, and transport sub-sectors could be potential Economic Drivers in the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna.

The economic and social infrastructure have to be restored and upgraded and new ones developed in the Secondary City of Jaffna in order to get connected physically and virtually to the economic hub of the City of Colombo, Greater Colombo area, and thereon to the rest of the world. In the modern world, lack of fast highways, airports, and harbours connecting different cities within and outside the country could be partially compensated by the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in interior parts of the country which are much more cost-effective. Modern virtual connectivity (ICTs) is less costly and less time-consuming than the traditional modes of physical connectivity (roads, railways, and sea and air ports). Thus, physical distance could be bridged considerably through virtual connectivity. However, an economy (such as the economy of Jaffna) overwhelmingly dominated by primary produces (agriculture and fisheries) with limited secondary produces (such as manufacturing and construction) need to depend heavily on physical connectivity such as roads, railways, and sea and air ports. Therefore, construction of physical and virtual infrastructure could be a potential economic driver of the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna.   

Secondly, human capital development in the Secondary City of Jaffna is lower than the average of the country in terms of lower and higher secondary public examination results in spite of the pre-war competitive advantage. Therefore, development of human capital is sine qua non to enhance the competitiveness of the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna. Jaffna is endowed with a University and few vocational and further educational institutions. The quality of school education and tertiary education needs to be improved in addition to increasing the number of admissions and output of students. The educational level of a city population is strongly correlated to the economic growth of the city. Education is a critical ingredient in the local agglomeration economies and cities boost the accumulation of human capital. Therefore, human capital development should be a thrust activity in the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna.  

Thirdly, economic institutions such as law and order, property rights for land, political and fiscal decentralisation, financial integration, etc, needs to be restored and strengthened in the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna. As a result of the prolonged armed conflict, such economic institutions have deteriorated in the past three decades. Whilst physical infrastructure connects places, virtual infrastructure and economic institutions connects people. Therefore, development of economic institutions is sine qua non for enhancing the competitiveness of primary and secondary cities. Hence, the development of economic institutions is imperative for enhancing the comparative advantage and competitiveness of the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna.   

Manufacturing industries has the potential to become an economic driver of the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna because of its logistical advantage with the restoration of the erstwhile railway line to Colombo, upgrading of the KKS port, and the expansion and upgrading of the Palaly airport resulting in an integrated transportation hub thereby getting connected to one of the world’s fastest growing economies, viz. India, which is just a short distance from the Jaffna peninsula. The foregoing integrated transportation hub could create the necessary logistical infrastructure for setting up export-oriented manufacturing industries and promoting entrepot trade with modest value-addition to India, South East Asia, and the rest of the world. Thus, an industrial park could be established in the integrated transportation hub of the Jaffna peninsula surrounding the areas of the Jaffna City, KKS Harbour, and the Palaly Airport.

The financial sector will continue deepening its catalyst role in the economy of the City of Jaffna capitalising on the instinctive protestant ethic of the average citizen of Jaffna. The cultivation of cash crops such as onions, chilies, and tobacco will continue to be an economic driver of the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna. Fishing will continue to be an economic driver in the City of Jaffna and outlying areas (especially around Point Pedro) keeping with its natural advantage.

Another critical competitive advantage of the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna is its relatively younger population compared to most other (19) districts in the country. A ‘demographic dividend’ is realised when the number of working-age population increases more rapidly than the number of dependent/elderly population in a geographic area or country. South Asian countries (except Sri Lanka) are currently reaping a demographic dividend which will continue until 2040 (and beyond in Afghanistan). In Sri Lanka the demographic dividend ended in 2005.

However, in contrast to most other districts in the country, the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna is endowed with a relatively younger population; a uniquely northern demographic peace dividend. According to the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2009-10, while only 26.0% of the total population of the country is under the age of 14 years, 28.1% of the Jaffna District population is under the age of 14 years. As a corollary, while the share of the population that is 60 years and older in the country as a whole was 12.3%, it was 11.5% in the District of Jaffna.

Therefore, the Secondary City and the District of Jaffna should take full advantage of this uniquely northern demographic peace dividend and convert it into economic peace dividend by focussing their economic revival strategies and synergies on youths. This has the potential to result in a youth spring in Northern Sri Lanka.

MUTTUKRISHNA SARVANANTHAN

Ph.D. (Wales) M.Sc. (Bristol) M.Sc. (Salford) B.A. (Hons) (Delhi)

Development Economist, Principal Researcher, Point Pedro Institute of Development

Thambasetty, Puloly West, Point Pedro, 40000Northern Province, Sri Lanka. 

Moderator Note: Since this is an inspiring message to everyone, it is sent to encourage people especially youths towards Horticulture industry.

A Recognition Of My Hard Work: Padma Shri Awardee Sri.Venkatapathy, Horticulturist

"It is an accomplishment and strong recognition of my hard work and sustained initiative in flower cultivation and in horticulture," an elated T.Venkatapathy Reddiar said on hearing that he has been selected for the Padma Shri award. The first to be selected from Puducherry for the civilian honour, the 65-year-old horticulturist and progressive florist of Koodapakkam village in Puducherry was overjoyed. He told PTI that he received a call from Delhi today informing him that he had been selected for the the award for his innovative practice in horticulture. He is among the 77 awardees selected for the honour by the President under different categories on the eve of Republic Day. Venkatapathy Reddiar, owner of Sri Lakshminarayana Crossandra Innovative Centre, had been carrying out farm activities for more than thirty years. He had developed new varieties of Crossandra and also quality and disease free species of casuarinas plants. He said he had bagged several awards instituted by the Central and State governments, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and also figures in the Limca Book of World Records for his innovative seedlings and Crossandra varieties. He had named the innovative variety of Crossandra as Abdul Kalam variety and also christened the casuarinas developed through newer technologies for lush growth in his lab as Rangasamy variety (named after Puducherry Chief Minister). Venkatapathy Reddiar has done Puducherry proud through his achievement .

 In the past too T. Venkatapathi Reddiar, a standard 4 dropout, has been in the news for the use of innovative technology in horticulture, not once but more than 10 times. But on Wednesday came the biggest of the news for this farmer hailing from the Koodapakkam village near here. The Union Government bestowing him with a Padma Shri for his innovation in horticulture farming.

“At around 10.30 a.m I got a call from New Delhi. The person on the line congratulated me on being awarded the Padma Shri. I did not understand as the person was speaking in Hindi and English and the call ended abruptly, a beaming Reddiar said adding that he had to wait till evening to confirm the news.

Now bestowed with Padma Shri, Reddiar who is widely known in this part as a progressive florist for developing hybrid varieties of Crossandra and Casurina wants to be an inspiration for the younger generation. “If a person with no formal education can get recognised for creating innovation in agriculture one wonders what students passing out from various Agriculture Colleges can do. They can change the agriculture scenario if they innovate,” he said

Recounting his rise as a farmer with repute, he said “it all began at the age of 19 but till in the 1990's it was sort of ordinary farming.” When the yield from paddy reduced, Mr Reddiar decided to experiment with cash crops such as Crossandra and Casurina. “I reduced my area of cultivation and then switched to horticulture.

From taking lessons from translated research papers, I learnt about gamma irradiation and started developing mutant variation of Crossandra and Casurina,” he said. The Indira Gandhi Atomic Centre, Kalpakkam came to know about the farmer's pioneering work and decided to partner with him in developing hybrid varieties of Crossandra, which according to Mr Reddiar was pest resistant and has a life span of around five years compared to the normal five months. Since he started raising the varieties, he rose to fame with the then President Abdul Kalam pouring encomiums and inviting him for dinner at Rastrapathi Bhavan. 

This refers to the message 33 of Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, the quality of the undergraduates is deteriorating, which is evidenced in the performance of those attended for the competitive examinations held in 2011 for recruitment to the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS). This message has to be considered very seriously since the performances of those students sat in the specific subjects are good but not in the general examinations. Students are more focused on the subjects but not prepared for such competitive examinations. The structure of the curriculum needs revision and should be student centered to expose them to the competitive world, otherwise as mentioned by Mr Sarvananthan these graduates are not fit to the outside world even to find suitable competitive jobs, either in the state or private sectors.

This has been highlighted by Dr Mangaleswaran in his message 29, that the Human Resource management is another area we need to seriously discuss about. Northern Province is blessed with the resources of Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and lacking in essential Human Resources. If this fourth resource is improved, the real development will be possible utilizing other three resources in an efficient, economic and eco-friendly manner. Graduates are the target groups in this category and their contribution is much more needed to establish different sectors in a sustainable level. 

Undoubtedly the present Government had committed the highest ever public investments in the districts of Vanni mainland (Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaithivu, and Vavuniya) in the post independence period. Even a Tamil political administration in the North would not have committed such huge public investments in the Vanni because of the Jaffna-centric/dominated politics of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

 Whilst the people of Vanni were longing for bread, the Government offered them cake. Six-lane highways (three in each direction) in Mullaithivu district, international sports stadium in Kilinochchi district, and deities and places of worship where there are no devotees are not the priorities of the people in the districts where cattle population outnumbers human population and populations and population densities are lowest in the country. In Mullaithivu district, for example, although the cattle population outnumbers the human population (91,947 according to the latest Census), there is not a single dairy development project worthy of mention to date. On the contrary, New Zealand’s cattle population outnumbers its human population (4.4 million as of mid 2013) and it has one of the largest and best Dairy Industries in the World.    

Not only the Government got its priorities wrong as regards development of the North (especially the Vanni), the Tamil community also has got its priorities wrong in terms of development. Throughout the North, including in the impoverished Vanni mainland, places of religious worship (especially Hindu temples) are lavishly rehabilitated, reconstructed, and/or redecorated at an exorbitant cost financially sponsored mainly by the Tamil Diaspora, whilst people of the Vanni are living in squalor in their huts made out of clay or tins without basic amenities such as toilets, clean and safe water, and electricity supply.

The total working-age (15-59 years) population in the North was 647,271 in 2012. If we make an allowance for people not able to work due to legitimate reasons (schooling, higher and further education, disability, etc), we could assume that only 475,000 persons in the working-age group in the North would be able to work. However, only 326,791 persons were employed in the North in 2012; which means there were 148,209 unemployed persons in the North in 2012. Hence, the unemployment rate in the Northern Province was 31.2% in 2012.  

I can understand and appreciate the divine solace sought by brutalised population in places of religious worship. Nevertheless, when fundamental human needs are unheeded and unmet, what is the moral and ethical imperative for extravagant expenditure on places of worship? What the people in the North, especially in the Vanni, urgently need are factories and places of production of goods and services that create employment opportunities for unemployed youths and wider masses.

Furthermore, I would strongly argue the case for unlocking huge financial resources and physical assets amassed by various faith-based institutions in the North for the purpose of development finance in the Northern Province. It is high time for the Northern Provincial Council to levy taxes on extravagant expenditures on rehabilitation/reconstruction/refurbishment of existing places of worship or the building of new places of worship. In addition, annual revenue of places of worship and other religious institutions (such as ashrams) should be subjected to PAYE income tax.

The Northern people should live according to the dictum that Makkal Servaiye Mahesan Servai (Service to People is the Service to God).

MUTTUKRISHNA SARVANANTHAN

Ph.D. (Wales) M.Sc. (Bristol) M.Sc. (Salford) B.A. (Hons) (Delhi)

Development Economist, Principal Researcher, Point Pedro Institute of Development

Thambasetty, Puloly West, Point Pedro, 40000Northern Province, Sri Lanka.  

Northern Province Catchment Management Authority :

I am KP Sivakumaran, Visting Professor at Annamalai University.

The primary goal of the Northern Province Catchment Management Authority is to ensure the protection and restoration of land and water resources, the sustainable development of natural resources-based industries and the conservation of Northern Province Catchment and cultural heritage. The vision for Northern Province Catchment Management Authority is a healthy living river and landscape meeting the social, environmental, economic and cultural needs of the community, and ensuring the rights and wellbeing of future generations.

 Northern Province Catchment Management Authority is a unique because the area governs corresponds to the naturally occurring drainage basin, enabling integrated catchment management. Integrated catchment management is a subset of environmental planning which approaches sustainable resource management from a catchment perspective, in contrast to a piecemeal approach that artificially separates land management from water management. Integrated catchment management recognizes the existence of ecosystems and their role in supporting flora and fauna, providing services to human societies, and regulating the human environment. Integrated catchment management seeks to take into account complex relationships within those ecosystems: between flora and fauna, between geology and hydrology, between soils and the biosphere, and between the biosphere and the atmosphere. Integrated catchment management recognizes the cyclic nature of processes within an ecosystem, and values scientific and technical information for understanding and analyzing the natural world. Human activities across a whole catchment, such as pollution, soil erosion and the spread of weeds, can adversely affect the quality of water and the environment at the bottom of the catchment.This is why it is important to manage a catchment as a whole, rather than in parts. Northern Province Catchment Management Authority (NPCMA) is responsible for protecting the quality and quantity of water in the drinking water and irrigation catchments. 

Lack of employment opportunities and livelihoods is resulting in intra-household violence, social tensions, and crimes, particularly against women and children in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

When a private light engineering firm in Jaffna called for applications to fill a few vacancies no applications were received. On the other hand, according to the Former District Secretary Ms. Imelda Sukumar, when the local agriculture department called for applications to fill one hundred (100) vacancies it received nearly eleven thousand (11,000) applications. This is the paradox of the labour market in Jaffna and the North. The aversion to seek employment in the private sector is not only a malaise in Jaffna, but a nationwide malaise. A survey of youths undertaken by a team comprising Prof. Siri Hettige, et al, in 2009 revealed that about seventy percent (70%) of youths throughout the country (including the North East) was seeking employment in the public sector.

The obsession with public sector employment is one of the primary reasons for higher levels of unemployment and underemployment in the district of Jaffna compared to the country as a whole. On the other hand, according to Prof. Balasundarampillai (former Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna), not a single candidate out of the 269 graduates who sat for the competitive examinations held in 2011 for recruitment to the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) passed. The puzzle is that the unemployed and underemployed youths of Jaffna (particularly graduates) are seeking jobs in the public sector that are beyond their capability. This is a severe indictment of the local university that churns out unemployable graduates (especially Arts and Commerce stream).        

Caste was identified as an institutional barrier for labour mobility among different occupations in the Jaffna peninsula. The caste system is based on the jobs certain groups of people do. The construction sector in Jaffna, one of the thriving sectors in post-war reconstruction and development, is negatively affected by lack of masons, carpenters, etc, as a result of caste rigidity that restricts entry into these occupations by persons of other caste/s. Such monopolisation of certain occupations severely restricts labour mobility at times of labour shortage in those occupations. Therefore, “constructive destruction” (in the words of Karl Marx) or “creative destruction” (in the words of Joseph Schumpeter) of caste-based occupational structure is sine qua non for establishing a competitive labour market in Jaffna.     

Foreign remittances were insinuated as another critical factor distorting the labour market by raising the daily wage rates or monthly salaries over and above the market determined rates. Businesspersons pointed out that while not many were applying for advertised jobs in the private sector, youths could be seen roaming around the streets in their motorbikes with cell phones throughout the day. The fact that cell phones and motorbikes have become necessary accessories of large number of unemployed or underemployed youths is a direct result of foreign remittances flowing from kith and kin abroad.

In summary, the obsession with public sector employment, poor quality of academic knowledge and life skills imparted at schools, universities, and higher education institutions, archaic caste-based occupational structure, and foreign remittances were identified as some of the primary causes of unemployment and underemployment in the North.

The foregoing was the outcome of an Open Forum titled “Labour Market Conundrum in Jaffna and the North” held at the auditorium of the Jaffna Public Library on June 03, 2011 jointly organised by the Point Pedro Institute of Development (PPID) and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->MUTTUKRISHNA SARVANANTHAN

Ph.D. (Wales) M.Sc. (Bristol) M.Sc. (Salford) B.A. (Hons) (Delhi)

Development Economist, Principal Researcher, Point Pedro Institute of Development

Thambasetty, Puloly West, Point Pedro, 40000 

Northern Province, Sri Lanka.  

“River for Jaffna” – A note on this hypothesis

This proposal, which to date has remained at the level of a hypothesis only, relies on transferring through an artificial link canal the surplus fresh water spilling over from Iranaimadu Irrigation scheme and other hitherto unharnessed streams and rivers during the rainy season into the Jaffna lagoons, which is already barraged at Arialai, Thondamanaru, and opened at the eastern and completely closed at western ends of Elephant Pass lagoon. The idea is to repeatedly fill the naturally formed system of saline lagoons in the Jaffna Peninsula, already isolated from the sea by barrages, in the hope that it will leach out the brackish (saline) water from these lagoons into the sea over a period. By this process of reducing the salinity of the brackish water in all the lagoons, it is anticipated that the presently barren or uncultivable lands bordering the lagoons would become cultivable and also the brackishness of water in many of the 100,000 wells in the peninsula would be reduced or in some cases eliminated. To date the validity of this hypothesis has not been tested or studied scientifically. In science all hypotheses must be tested and proved through experiments. In this case it needs to be verified through model studies, numerous tests, evaluation of horizontal and vertical permeability rates, flow net analysis, various experiments, mathematical calculations and finally monitoring in-service performances. In addition we have to take on board consequential environmental, ecological, social, economic, livelihood and other issues in order to ensure that the continued human survival in the Jaffna peninsula is not sacrificed. Without doing such investigations we cannot talk about its implementation.  

When man interferes with nature in such an intrusive manner by converting the saline water in the lagoons into fresh water, the impact on bio-diversity needs to be studied in detail by botanists, Zoologists, marine biologists, environmental scientists, sociologists and economists. The consequences of implementing Arumugam’s “River for Jaffna” scheme can be catastrophic. We have all the specialists we need to study these matters at our door step within the University of Jaffna itself. We can, if necessary, mobilize additional resources from other Universities in Sri Lanka.

Let us briefly look at the pitfalls we will be encountering.

How successfully we can convert the salt water lagoons into fresh water lagoons? During the few months of heavy rain, fresh water gets added to the salt water in the lagoon, raising water levels in all the lagoons. This will allow some leaching process even without Arumugam’s scheme. There may or may not be additional capacity in Vadamaradchi lagoon to receive much more water from Elephant Pass lagoon. Even if there is capacity, the difference in water levels between Elephant Pass lagoon and the Vadamaradchi lagoon is known to be insufficient to provide the required hydraulic driving head to transfer water from Elephant pass lagoon over to Vadamaradchi lagoon via the link canal. This requires to be studied in detail.

If the issues in 1 above are satisfactorily answered, we can now proceed to the next hurdle. Due to high evaporation losses during the dry season the Vadamaradchi lagoon often becomes dry. Reverse leaching from the sea into the lagoon may take place. The process of converting the brackish water in the lagoons to fresh water may therefore take decades. The leaching and reverse leaching rates depend on the vertical and horizontal permeabilities of the lime stone and other strata underlying the lagoon and also the difference in water levels in the lagoon and the sea. This requires consideration.

If 1 and 2 are resolved in favour of Arumugam’s scheme then we face even more serious problems. They are of catastrophic scale indeed. The Arumugam Scheme will most definitely destroy the mangrove ecosystems, which are Nature’s most productive ecosystems gifted to mankind, encompassing a variety of economic, environmental, and social aspects including carbon sequestration for combating global warming and protection from erosion, flooding, cyclones, typhoons and tidal waves.  

Arumugam’s proposed reduction of natural salinity levels of water in the lagoon will undoubtedly kill the mangroves and consequently the habitats of marine life, insects, birds including migratory birds, butterflies, wild bees, mollusks etc. The destruction of the mangroves will seriously affect the fishing industry and the coastal ecosystem balance. The leaf-litter detritus from mangroves is vital to marine life because it provides an essential source of nutrients for the trophic food web for prawns, crabs, fish and many other species. It is estimated that 90 % of all marine organisms (178,000 species in all) spend some portion of their life cycle within the mangrove ecosystems. Traditional coastal communities also derive fuel, medicine, food and building materials from mangroves. They do this without destroying the mangroves. It is only when one understands the extent of the rich resources embodied within the mangrove ecosystem it will be possible to appreciate the perils of schemes such as “River for Jaffna”.

Whether we should partition the lagoons in various salinity levels to consider all these drawbacks???? 

Dr.(Eng.) S S Sivakumar

Agriculture, Education

Concern on Technology stream introduced in A/L and followed by designing degree programs at the University level. The Govt. of Sri Lanka has taken a right decision to introduce technology stream for the Advance Level students (a separate entity) and students are in this stream will enter in to the similar entity at the Universities in Sri Lanka. The aim of introducing this new stream is to reduce the students who opt for Arts and Commerce and to induce them to opt for Technology stream so that they could find an employment mainly in private sector. Self employment is the main focus on this paradigm shift. Apart from the criticisms, the approach is a novel one to encourage the youth to move towards the technology world, perhaps from the village itself. The technology needs to reach the villages instead of bringing the youth from villages to the cities.

There are difficulties and short comings we found in implementing this at various levels, of course, many of them could be solved regional/province levels. We should take this as a positive move and should prepare our students, parents, and teachers and of course the Schools at the A/L levels and meantime prepare the Faculties/units at Universities to meet the basic requirements to admit the students for new Technology degree programs in 2016. The expected number of students opting from Arts/Commerce to this technology stream is not satisfactory so far and students willing to study in Physical science are the majority coming in to this. This has to be looked into very seriously and should encourage the students willing to read Arts/ Commerce in to this. Especially the schools in Vanni area finding teachers to teach this technology stream is a problem.  Out of the streams introduced one is Biosystems Technology, Engineering Technology, Information and communication Technology. Students got through these courses will get admission in Universities for these three degree programs only. The general students will not be admitted to these technology degree programs. Further whatever the specialized areas (esp. food technology or biotechnology – based on the interest of the faculties/universities) - all are grouped under these three degree programs. The issues raised here are as follows.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.    <!--[endif]-->Students/teachers are not clear about the system introduced

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.    <!--[endif]-->Teachers teaching these courses are not adequately trained. They are again going to teach the same contents what they learn to teach in general course as biology, physics and chemistry, mathematics

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.    <!--[endif]-->The syllabus in Biosystems Technology is replica of Agriculture degree program but in a simplest form. Agriculture graduates are more suitable to teach this course as there are many practicals involved in teaching this subject rather teaching the theory alone is not sufficient.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.    <!--[endif]-->Teachers with Science degree need to be given adequate training to competent enough to teach the subject and conduct adequate practicals, if not the interest or willingness of students entering this Technology stream may decline in subsequent years.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.    <!--[endif]-->In addition to the training given by National Institute of Education, Universities could help to train the teachers by giving workshops/training sessions/practical exercises to the teachers adequately. And teachers should have the interest to learn and improve their knowledge for a good delivery otherwise those schools may find difficult to convince the students to opt the stream in future. Schools should take extra efforts to train their teachers those too also suitable teachers to this.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.    <!--[endif]-->Provincial Educational office should initiate a dialogue with the relevant Universities/faculties to train the teachers for this Technology subjects. This is very essential too.

7.    Introducing Technology Degree programs , the University of Jaffna is submitting proposals for five degree programs namely B.Sc in Biosystems Technology specialized  in Food Production Technology, B.Sc in Biosystems Technology specialized in Commercial Green Farming, B.Sc in Engineering Technology, B.Sc in Biosystems Technology specialized in Pharmaceutical Technology, B.Sc in Biosystems Technology specialized  in Food and Biotechnology. If these degree programs are well received by the students then the students reading these degree programs will get adequate knowledge to establish their own industry/private firm instead of waiting for Govt Job. Hope these initiatives could help to make a change among the youth. All sectors should corporate to implement this and blaming one will not serve the purpose at all. 

The Jaffna Open Forum, a joint venture between the Point Pedro Institute of Development (PPID – independent private social science research institution based in Point Pedro, Northern Province) and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES – social democratic political foundation of Germany that worked in Sri Lanka for 46 years), took place at the Jaffna Public Library auditorium on September 02, 2010. The overall objective of this public conclave was to present submissions and debate the ways and means and costs and benefits of transforming the traditional agrarian cum fisheries economy of Jaffna and the North into a modern knowledge-based economy.

Mr. Niranjan Nadarajah (Former Manager, Consumer Credit and Risk, Asia Pacific Risk, HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives) pointed out that while the twentieth century was dominated by the Industrial Economy, the twenty-first century would be dominated by the Knowledge Economy. He also contended that knowledge-based economy is a greater wealth creator than an economy based on any other sector. He further highlighted that though Jaffna (North in general) is endowed with limited natural resources (“moola valam”) it is endowed with lot of brain resources (“moolai valam”). There are four key pathways to knowledge-based development, claimed Niranjan Nadarajah, which are enhancing the (i) human capital, (ii) stakeholder capital, (iii) structural capital, and (iv) reviewing the policy and regulatory framework. He opined that it is the skills and competencies of the workforce that would determine their productiveness and competitiveness internationally. He urged the educationists to align the curricula to the needs of the market (rather than expecting the market to absorb the output of schools and universities). Niranjan Nadarajah also stressed the importance of the process of education (as opposed to the outcome of education) and emphasised the need to inculcate a culture of lifelong learning in order to remain competitive in a fast changing world.   

Of course not everyone actively participated in the Open Forum was in agreement with its theme or the submissions made by the key speakers. One argued that the presentations were too much focussed on university or tertiary education. It was further argued that Indian experience or example is inappropriate for Sri Lanka or the local context. One even cast aspersion about the anticipated entry of private and foreign universities into Sri Lanka. While one participant opined that development should be community-based rather than knowledge-based, another opined that development should be “philosophy-based”. One enthusiastic participant observed that while Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms have mushroomed throughout Southern India, some women working in those BPOs are verbally abused by clients and therefore BPOs have become an occupational hazard. One cynic opined that the theme of the Open Forum makes him suspect that it was designed to promote globalisation backed by western countries.   

MUTTUKRISHNA SARVANANTHAN

Ph.D. (Wales) M.Sc. (Bristol) M.Sc. (Salford) B.A. (Hons) (Delhi)

Development Economist, Principal Researcher, Point Pedro Institute of Development

Thambasetty, Puloly West, Point Pedro, 40000Northern Province, Sri Lanka

Human Resource Development in North

Last three decades war heavily affected our human resources. In the North, we can find human but not human resources. It is a major issue in Vanni region of North (Killinochchi, Mullitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar).  Therefore, Industries face difficulties to find qualified people within the region; they try to get the people from outside the region. Most of the youth are unemployed and they are not contributing their regional development. Most of the youth have completed general education only. They do not have knowledge, skills and abilities to fulfill the industry requirement. The reasons are lack of knowledge of technical courses available, lack of interest to follow the professional or technical courses, poverty level (they have to look after the family), still expect relief or grant. Human Resource is a big challenge to the Development of North. Therefore, intervention of any project in north should focus on Human Resource Development (soft component development) than relief or issuing livelihood assistance continuously to make the people dependent.

Dr.T.Mangaleswaran 
Senior Lecturer,  Department of Eco. & Management 
Faculty of Business Studies

Vavuniya Campus 
University of Jaffna

Vavuniya, Sri Lanka 

Tel:(Off.) +94243248188 (Res.) +942225665 

(Mobile) +94714347689,  +94774536564

The PPID has undertaken incisive, insightful, and foresightful policy research during the past decade (2004-2014). Our survey results contested the causes of boat migration (to Australia from Sri Lanka) attributed by an Australian refugee advocate in 2013 and the Australian Government toughened its policy on boat migration in the same year.  http://www.epw.in/discussion/boat-migration-australia.html-0 We exposed and argued the case against military enterprises in Northern Sri Lanka in 2010 and the military expenditure in the Northern Provincial economy was cut-back to second place in 2012 as a proportion of the provincial economy for the first time in decades.  http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09584935.2011.565313. We logically predicted, backed-up by empirical evidence, the demise of the LTTE in 2006 and it happened in 2009.  http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01436590701507628#.U8nX9kDm5eY.  We proposed a cap on the annual Government Budget deficit in 2001-2002 and the Fiscal (Management) Responsibility Act was enacted in 2003.  http://www.epw.in/commentary/sri-lanka-budget-2001-social-agenda-vs-military-development.html We logically argued, backed-up by empirical evidence, the case for free trade between India and Sri Lanka in 1993 and the Governments of India and Sri Lanka inked a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (albeit partial) in 1998 that came into operation in 2000.  http://www.epw.in/special-articles/contraband-trade-and-unofficial-capital-transfers-between-sri-lanka-and-india.html

 MUTTUKRISHNA SARVANANTHAN

Ph.D. (Wales) M.Sc. (Bristol) M.Sc. (Salford) B.A. (Hons) (Delhi)

Development Economist, Principal Researcher, Point Pedro Institute of Development

Thambasetty, Puloly West, Point Pedro, 40000

Northern Province, Sri Lanka. Tel: 021-226-2283 Cell: 077-6263873

Metropolitan office & correspondence address

5, Somasundaram Road, Off Station Road

Wellawatte, Colombo-6, 00600

Western Province, Sri Lanka. Tel: 011-2599798 Fax: 011-2599797

Skype: Sarvi5 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Web: http://pointpedro.org

Fifty years from now it will not matter what my bank balance was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove....but the world may be different because I was important in the life of my nation

Selected publications:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09584935.2011.565313

http://www.accord.org.za/downloads/ct/ct_2009_4.pdf

http://www.eastwestcenter.org/fileadmin/stored/pdfs/ps044.pdf

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09584930802312838#.U8nWikDm5eY

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01436590701507628#.U8nX9kDm5eY 

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0958493042000209889#.U8nXy0Dm5eY  http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0958493022000000378#.U8nZP0Dm5eY 

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00472330180000031#.U8nZXEDm5eY

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09584939908719865#.U8nZdUDm5eYhttp://go.worldbank.org/0UZIDI5SE1 

I'm Piratheepa Jegatheeswaran, final year student of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna.

Now over usage of chemicals in Agriculture is one of most important problem. This causes many negative impacts on environment. The main issue in northern region is ground water pollution by this over usage of chemicals.In Jaffna we have rich ground water source for drinking. Still now we don't face any drinking water problem. But now most drinking water in northern region is now much nitrate polluted. Specially Thirunelvely, Kondavil, and Urumpirai areas wells are identified as much nitrate polluted. 

But most people don't know this matter. Most believe Jaffna water is best for drinking and very tasty. They don't know whether their drinking water is safe or not. So we want to make a awareness to the people about this issue and it's impacts. Now it's impacts started. Earlier days people don't know about cancer. Few persons affected by that. But now it becomes as a common disease. In future it will lead many serious problems like blue babies. So it is best to aware the people now and safe our future generations. 

I am Mr.Karthigesu Jeyavanan, working as Lecturer (Probationary), Department of AgronomyUniversity of Jaffna, M.Phil reading on Environmental forestry (PGIA).

Trees are soul for living organisms and lungs for human. so that "deforestation of forest or vegetation leads to depletion of lungs of the human". forest is a conservation and habitat for living organism.  Forest are divided into three in Sri Lanka such us wet, intermediate and dry zone forest based on the climatic zones. Mullaitivu, and Kilinochchi are covering the major woody vegetation and potential wild life animals those are endemic, endanger and native in nature. IUCN released the books red list every year for each country. Vegetation analysis is quiet less done among the northern parts of Sri Lanka due to the prevailed war for 3 decades. Sri Lanka still cover 29.6% of forest cover and some district are having the increasing forest cover due to the development of agroforesrty systems. 

Vegetation types and forest cover are streamlining to protect and product the ecosystems by multi-services provided. During the 3 decades, scientific advancement made in Northern Province of Sri Lanka is quiet less due to the prevailed war and Tsunami compared to other areas. In Jaffna peninsula, plantation tree crops, fruit crops, sparse monsoon forest and mangrove forest are the major vegetation to secure the people. Potential perennial crops such as palmyrah and coconut etc. had severely logged for the purpose of marginal fence making. Furthermore, lot of forest cover had been deforested and degraded by civil war. Over the years, coastal communities are benefited by mangrove vegetation providing the ecosystem services which are provision, protection, regulation and cultural. But, in Jaffna district all mangrove vegetation are fulfill with land mines during the war. It is suggested that for the research and scientific advancement, clearance of land mines is vital in this regions. Research on socioeconomic, services and mapping of vegetation cover analysis have been done quiet less in these areas. In Jaffna district, Jaffna lagoons, Nagar Kovil coastal line, Delft and coastal areas are the potential areas for mangrove forest spread as strip, patches and dense cover. Still important species have been identified by morphological observation in some extend. But marker assisted studies have been not yet done in this region. In addition to that research areas will open on above and below ground biomass studies, biodiversity composition, carbon sequestration potential, and flora and fauna species identification in mangrove vegetation. 

The total number of farm families in this peninsula is nearly 50% of the total population. Total land available for cultivation is about 12,000 ha out of 102,500 ha. About 18,000 homegardens have been identified with average land holding size of 0.24 ha. The total forest extent in the peninsula is around 1,354.7 ha accounts 1.32 % of total land area. This result indicates the importance of agriculture and its land use practices and their contribution to ecosystems services of Jaffna peninsula. Agroforestry and its related knowledge are also quiet less among the Jaffna farmers. Assessment of ecosystems services is most critical factor to enhance the quality and quantity of agroforestry in a sustainable basis.ecosystems services are basically categorized into provisioning of goods, regulating services, cultural services and supporting services and plays a key role in production, protection, financial benefits and livelihood development to society Assessment of ecosystems services is the emerging option of agroforestry systems in scientific world. Attempts have been made to identify the environmental services of those four categories by several scientists in elsewhere. However, ecosystems services of Sri Lankan agroforestry or any agriculture systems have not been properly identified/ analyzed. It is our responsibilities to do the effective and efficient scientific research to uplift the peoples and our nation. Development policy and legislation are important to conserve the nature in those areas. Maping of all the vegetaion and its trends are vital using the new technologies and methodologies such as GIS, GPS, remote sensing, REDD plus, Carbon sequestration potential and its estimation, development of agroforestry model, site class development, wood density, biomass and volume analysis for dry zone species.

Mr.Karthigesu Jeyavanan

Lecturer (Probationary)

Department of Agronomy

University of JaffnaM.Phil read on Environmental forestry (PGIA)  

Water Resources Available for Jaffna Safe Drinking Water Need

Nowadays the topic of water supply is very much talked in several forums. Although the experts discussing the various possibilities of getting water Jaffna safe water supply demand, in my view almost all the people are very lightly recommending the following but they did not given any detail studies about both recommendations.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Getting water from existing/new  surface water source

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Ground water available in peninsula (with special reference to River for Jaffa)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Reverse Osmosis(Converting sea water for drinking water using high energy)

The following are my comments on first two as I am not much conversant on third

Surface water for water supply

As per government policy on Millennium challenges in any surface water source 35 % of the water should be kept other than irrigation purposes. Hence it is better to get water for any water supply scheme from any assured surfaced reservoirs. But getting water for water supply scheme from medium/minor irrigation scheme doesn’t have assurance of non interrupted water supply. It is highly recommended to get water for water supply from Major irrigation scheme.   As there is no major surface water source in Jaffna peninsula we have to go for main land to get the same.

Ground water for water supply scheme

Within Jaffna peninsula there are three lagoons, Thondamanaru lagoon, Upparu lagoon and the Valukiaru lagoon with water spread area of 78, 26 and 14 square kilometers respectively. These three shallow lagoons cover around 11.8% of the peninsula’s land area of 1036 square kilo meter. These lagoons are having sea mouths at Thondamanaru, Ariyali and Arali in the vicinity of Indian Ocean which covers the peninsula by 160 km of coastline and no location of peninsula is more than 10 km away from the coast. Hence it is very much susceptible to the salt water intrusion in to the land area. The water resource mainly the underground water in Jaffna Peninsula is totally polluted due to prolonged negligence and improper management of existing barrages at the lagoon mouths and the salt water intrusion was taken place. In addition to these garbage and soakage pit pollution and increased usage of fertilizer chemicals also affected the quality of ground water. As a result, people are facing problem in getting good quality water in their wells. Due to the salt water intrusion, hundreds of acres of lands, hundreds of wells are in abandon stage.

Re opening of River for Jaffna , as one of the solution for Peninsula drinking water supply is completely wrong concept, as river for Jaffna was proposed by eminent engineer Eng S Arumugam to increase land productivity in peninsula in seventies.

River for Jaffna

This was studied in 70’s by experts in irrigation department and the following components of the project was completed

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.    <!--[endif]-->Western closer bund in elephant passes

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.    <!--[endif]-->Eastern closer by construction of regulator and causeway in Chundikulam

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.    <!--[endif]-->Mandalai channel

Entire system was failed due to

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Insufficient driving head in between Elephant passes lagoon and Thondamanarru Lagoon to drive water to take water from elephant lagoon through Mandalai canal to Thondamanaru lagoon to flush out saline water

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The entire Chundiikulam regulator cum causeway was under sand bar within two years by ocean deposit

From this stage up to now river for Jaffna is a dream for the Jaffna society and a talking topic of experts during past peace talks and even now

Any project proposal to make all three lagoons in Jaffna peninsula will lead serious social, environmental and ecological problems.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->More than 2000 fishing families depend on saline lagoon water for their prawn culture and saline fishing  will lose their lively hood

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Aquatic breading grounds will be disturbed

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Sheltering migrants’ birds will be disturbed

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The existence if mangroves which act as aquatic breading grounds will be in danger

Hence, the recommendation of desalination of lagoon cannot be implemented without disturbing the socio ecological and environmental balance. But only possibility is partitioning of lagoons with various levels of salinity to maintain the socio ecological and environmental harmony. But this will help only to improve land productivity, but not for domestic water supply of an urbanizing area.

Dr S S.Sivakumar 

Head Civil Engineering, University of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka

The primary goal of the Northern Province Catchment Management Authority is to ensure the protection and restoration of land and water resources, the sustainable development of natural resources-based industries and the conservation of Northern Province Catchment and cultural heritage. The vision for Northern Province Catchment Management Authority is a healthy living river and landscape meeting the social, environmental, economic and cultural needs of the community, and ensuring the rights and wellbeing of future generations.

 Northern Province Catchment Management Authority is a unique because the area governs corresponds to the naturally occurring drainage basin, enabling integrated catchment management. Integrated catchment management is a subset of environmental planning which approaches sustainable resource management from a catchment perspective, in contrast to a piecemeal approach that artificially separates land management from water management. Integrated catchment management recognizes the existence of ecosystems and their role in supporting flora and fauna, providing services to human societies, and regulating the human environment. Integrated catchment management seeks to take into account complex relationships within those ecosystems: between flora and fauna, between geology and hydrology, between soils and the biosphere, and between the biosphere and the atmosphere. Integrated catchment management recognizes the cyclic nature of processes within an ecosystem, and values scientific and technical information for understanding and analyzing the natural world. Human activities across a whole catchment, such as pollution, soil erosion and the spread of weeds, can adversely affect the quality of water and the environment at the bottom of the catchment.This is why it is important to manage a catchment as a whole, rather than in parts. Northern Province Catchment Management Authority (NPCMA) is responsible for protecting the quality and quantity of water in the drinking water and irrigation catchments. 

Jaffna – Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project -  Report 2

In all the components of the design of improvement to head works and improvement to the whole water supply network distribution system and storage tanks, there are lot of grey areas and these cannot be clarified without knowing the basis of design parameters. As far as the water supply system is concerned the parameters that the Water Board (WB) uses can be revised. Parameters used in other schemes should not be used in the case of the Jaffna – Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project since the pattern of water availability has its distinctly unique dynamics.

At present this is neither the time nor a requirement where these should be highlighted for any reevaluation. The issue that is in front of us is giving a firm commitment to allay concerns and fears the Kilinochchi farmers have risen. This should be urgently addressed irrespective of whether the farmers concerns and questions are right or whether these are politically motivated.

I have studied the project both on the Irrigation aspects and the domestic water supply system and as, I mentioned in my opening address on 28^th March 2014, Farmers’ concerns are right and legitimate. As I also mentioned these are certain engineering facts.

I am absolutely certain that the farmers’ queries can be satisfactorily attended and a guarantee can be given on the maximum water that will be released. This is what they want – At least going by other official submission including that of a parliamentarian reported in the press – Virakesari under the heading “ney;NyhL epy;yhNj ePiuAk; jh” ( = Not only rice but give water too) – 08 series of reports.

If the dams fill at least once a year probably during October , November and December or in any other month (due to the present prevailing freak– weather under climate variation situation in Sri Lanka. There is no problem by way of conflict between the Farmers’ demand and the Jaffna- Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project. All the arguments and positions taken by most of us in supporting the project unfortunately had been based on the Dam spilling over the new height of 31.4m.

If the reservoir does not fill due to reduced rain fall the storage in the dam will decrease in line with different rain falls. When this level falls below 30.78m we are taking water that should have gone to the farmers by reducing the cultivation area about 600 acres. (10,000m³/ day water supply)

The farmers view this shortfall as inadequate water for them, since, under these circumstances why should water be given to Jaffna – Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project?- They have the absolute right to ask the questions.  Our answers and positions should be, under any circumstance of short fall of rain fall, we will not release more than 10 - 5% of the storage for drinking purpose. Is it possible that 10% can come down?  (I am working on this and definitely I will give numbers on this count).Please note  under short fall of rain fall whatever percentage that we release to Jaffna – Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project is definitely at the expense of the irrigation water. Therefore our line of arguments should be “This project is enhancing the area of cultivation compared to what is being cultivated at present and why should not some of irrigation water to be released to enable the project to go on.

Under para 03^rd above we should be aware that the 02 feet raising of the dam is not adequate to justify the availability of additional water that will be given to Jaffna – Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project without affecting the Farmers requirement –when the water storage in the dam does not reach the spill level. When we supply water to Jaffna, it is at the expense of the farmers’ water. Therefore we have to appeal to the farmers based on some form of guarantee that we will not be taping the water when the maximum level is below certain level which I feel may be acceptable to the farmers.

At present the short fall in cultivation whether under Maha or Yala is simply not due to non-availability of water in the dam. It is mainly due to the lack of proper agriculture practice and the damage in the dam and the canals distribution system. This fact should be clearly conveyed to the farmers

It is only under the Jaffna – Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project that substantial funds are made available to rehabilitate the dam and canals so that more water will be available for farmers and they can increase the cultivation from the present level.

Under any circumstances the domestic water supply for Kilinochchi residents will not be curtailed.

We should convince the farmers to give their consent to execute the project on account 5, 6 and 7.

Since the project is funding the dam rehabilitation and the distribution canals why don’t they release some of their water to the Jaffna Peninsula. - of course this will be during the Yala season for which they will get more than what they get at present due to the aforesaid improvements.

Immediate project benefits for the Kilinochchi farmers

Drinking water from Iranamadu

Improvements to the dam and the canal system which will enhance larger area for cultivation.

Water availability within the Jaffna Peninsula.

Both within the Jaffna town and most of other areas within the peninsula which depend on underground water. Because of nitrate pollution of the peninsula aquifers and bacterial pollution mostly within the town areas – water should not be used.

In most of the aquifers salinity intrusion has increased and therefore in terms of volume available for abstractor the amount is limited.

Under climate variation impact the volume availabilities for abstraction is reduced by 40%

Therefore

Within the peninsula water is not available, no more studies or investigation necessary to understand this.

The Manatkadu aquifer can be used during dry periods when Iranamadu water is not available. Investigation necessary.

Conclusion

Jaffna and the islands needs water

Kilinochchi farmers are benefited by increased cultivation

Rs. 8 Billion will flow into Kilinochchi and Jaffna district

The maximum water of 10,000m3 for Jaffna will only reduce the cultivation are by 600 acres which very less compared to increased cultivation area under this project.

With regards

Sivakumar

………………………………………………………………………………

Dr. (Eng.) S.S.Sivakumar PhD, MSc.(WRD), BSc.(Eng)

C.Eng, MIE(SL), FIE(SL) , BMI&PSI, LMSLAAS, LMIWRS, LMICOLD

Head - Civil Engineering, 

Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering

Faculty of Engineering, University of Jaffna, Jaffna.
TP: Rec:   (94) 024  222 063 2  ;    Mobile:  (94) 077 250 873 0

Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=QcBUYKcAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Saravanamuttu_Sivakumar/?ev=hdr_xprfDevelopment with Forethought Leads Sustainable Recovery of the Nation 

Agriculture and applied science and technology:

I am M.S Roshan Akther working as temporary demonstrator in Department of Bio-Science, Faculty of Applied Science of the Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna and working on soil, organic farming and water resources. I have been working on soil, organic farming and water resources.

Water is the key to life. There is no substitute for water. Unfortunately, only 1% of the water in earth is usable form to us. According to UN, water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century. By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world's population could be living under water stressed conditions. With the existing climate change scenario, almost half the world's population will be living in areas of high water stress by 2030

Many of the water systems that maintain ecosystem function to survive the human population have become stressed. Climate change is altering patterns of weather and water around the world, causing shortages and droughts in some areas and floods in others. Improper agricultural practices lead to scarce the water and pollute this resource. Rivers, ponds and aquifers are drying up or becoming too polluted to use.

Agriculture requires large quantities of water for irrigation and of good quality for various production processes. Irrigation consumes 70% of freshwater for human use. Especially in northern part of Sri Lanka, the water resources have been diminishing in an alarming rate in last decades. Increasing rate of population and improper urban development have lead to encroachment of tank beds and command area. Few tanks are believed to be entirely disappeared.

This affects the cascade system of ground water recharge resulting frequent drought and flooding in this area. The northern area experiences an acute shortage of drinking water during the dry season and the water supply to the region is not sufficient to meet the demand.

At the same time 40% of rainfall drained to sea without any use. Taking effective measures for conserving the existing water resources and trapping rain water for future use will be the ultimate solution for water scarcity issue.

Rain water harvesting is always a great option to mitigate the water scarcity both household and agricultural field. Establishing a small rain water collection system in house hold with simple sand filter would able to collect significant amount of water to satisfy the household water requirements.

Abandoned wells can be turned as percolation well thus can maintain the ground water table of adjacent area for a prolonged period. These can be saved money which expense for buying the water. Through that, we can face the drought condition successfully. Constructing a farm pond in every paddy field/ agricultural field can store the rain water and reduce the loss of rain water to sea as well increase ground water recharge.

Stored water in the farm pond can be used for irrigation and other socio economic activities such as fishing and Azolla cultivation. Azolla can be used as bio fertilizer for field.

The overall awareness should be created among farmers and public about sustainable water usage and rainwater harvesting.Roshan. 

Technology & Agriculture: I am Mr.Kandiah Pakeerathan, Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Biology, University of Jaffna as well as PhD student of University of Sydney, Australia.  I would like to discuss the "Usage of technology for Sustainable Agriculture"

In the present scenario, environmentalists voices are reflecting how to safe guard scare water and prevent excess usage of agrochemicals. Implementation of glass, tunnel and green house agriculture with drip irrigation technique, we can easily prevent the over exhausting water and no need for application of insecticides and herbicides because no way to enter pests. Initial installation cost may be high, but compare to traditional agriculture, we can get excellent benefits without harming environment. This technique is even suitable for saline coastal areas for vegetable and fruit production. We can use the roofs of glass houses to harvest rain water and this rain water can be used for irrigation, if ground water made clogging in droppers.

Many NGOs are supplying seeds and other inputs. Instead of this, if they fund to set-up this technique for farmers who are interesting to cultivate in difficult areas, it will be a viable and pioneering for quick adaptation of this technique all over the northern and eastern provinces. University academics should create link with commercial farmers and give their technical support to set-up it. We are consuming good quality imported fruits and vegetables from supermarkets. Actually, these products are produced from these type of glass house agriculture.

Thank you

Present address:  

PAKEERATHAN KANDIAH | PhD Student – Plant Breeding and Molecular Genetics 

Plant Breeding Institute | Faculty of Agriculture & Environment 

THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
107 Cobbitty Rd | Cobbitty | NSW | 2570 | Australia
T (off)+61 2 9351 8866  | F +61 2 9351 8875 | M₁ +61 (0) 469 792 976 
E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   | http://sydney.edu.au/agriculture/plant_breeding_institute

The complete biodiversity profile of Northern Province is not yet available and it is essential to understand the biodiversity of Northern Province to protect, preserve and conserve our own species. Since many experts are working in different sections of the biodiversity and these information have to be pooled and should be made available as a document for future development. I have been blessed and assigned the task of compiling the biodiversity profile of Northern Province by the Biodiversity Secretariat of Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy. The task period is very narrow and should finish the first draft within a week and the complete profile before October 2014. I need your help to obtain the information on plant, animals, organisms of the different species present in Northern Province to compile it. Your information will be properly cited and acknowledged in the document. Photographs, graphs of the species, places, resources if any, are welcome.  Please send the soft copy to my personal email appears above. 

Prof.G.Mikunthan

Professor in Agricultural Biology

Faculty of Agriculture

University of Jaffna 

0718475539

Thank you for your concern and suggestions. It is important for agriculture students to be placed in an area to work with two or three farm families from September/October to January/February - a farming season as part of the requirements for a degree. This experience will help the students, Lecturers and agriculture department staff to examine recommendations from the farmer’s point of view. Farmers are farming to make a profit each year as long as they or one of their children are farming.

Reductionist research methodology, design and analysis need to expand to developing holistic research design and analysis. The traditional research design is interested in average yield of a given area of crops. The farmer is concerned with the increase of income for a given input of his efforts, the material inputs and returns.

Ethir,

N. Ethirveerasingam. Ph.D. (Cornell Univ.)

Mobile: +94 0778277673

Recommendations from researchers, agriculture departments and environmentalist are not going to make any impact if the farmer cannot make a profit and if the new practice is going to make more demands on his time without much returns for his increased time and effort inputs. Ethir 

Agriculture & Health: I am Mr. Nagarathnam Thiruchchelvan belongs to Faculty of Graduate studies as a post graduate student (M.Phil.) and Research Assistant at Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna.

 I am very happy to joint this e-conference and I have to share something about ours regional development. Please accept it, as a formal registration for this e-conference.

In our time cancer disease is one of the defenseless problems to our people. Many researchers and doctors were found that certain extent of cancer due to the consumption of pesticides residual over their foods and drinking water. Typically northern farmers they have a mentality is that “Zero pest in their field, then only they can get superior yield”. Because of these missed concepts, they are using massive quantity of inorganic chemical pesticides without any correlation of target pests and the pesticides.   Most of the time, if they couldn’t able to diagnose a pest problem, at that situation they make the decisions as their own or according to their neighbors wording, for the pesticides selection. But it may not be reliable for the target pest. In Jaffna, I had the few experiences; some farmers spray insecticides for the fungal diseases control and also fungicides for the insects’ attacks. These kinds of practices lead to the continued use of pesticides for the eradication of pests. In addition that, generally most of the farmers failed to follow the label instructions which are given by the manufacturer, at the time of field application. In my point of view, these kinds of problems might be arises due to the inappropriate guidance of farmers by the pesticides seller and improper regulation of pesticides marketing.

These above mention problems can be rectify by the proper regulation of pesticides with perfect guidance to the farmers’ communities. I have propose some ideas here,

 Pesticides selling should be banned from retailers’ shops or other shops. Pesticides sales are only from the agriculture related departments with an expert’s concern; such as department of agriculture and its divisions, Agrarian service centers (ASC) or other institutes. Those departments create a pesticides sales center for selling of pesticides to farmers’ community. Here they can get the assistance about selection of pesticides from the Agriculture instructors or other experts.

  Create a system in our country for the pesticides regulations with the help of Ministry of Agriculture and provincial ministry of Agriculture and its related departments (e.g:-Department of Agriculture) and agriculture faculties work together and formulate a plant protection and pest diagnosis center throughout the country. Appoint a plant doctor for each center with a few trainees for do a plant clinic for that particular area. Nowadays plenty of agriculture graduates are available in department of agriculture as graduate trainees. These people are fit for the centers as a doctors or trainees. Then implement a rule “without plant doctor’s notice or concern note or recommendations, any retailers can’t sell the pesticides to the farmers”. And also formulate a committee for the monitoring of these actives throughout the nations.  

I hope through this plant protection and pest diagnosis center we can guide the farmers’ community towards the country development and we can slowly implement organic farming and integrated pest management system in their farming.

Best regards...

Mr. N. Thiruchchelvan

Department of Agricultural Biology,

Faculty of Agriculture,

University of Jaffna,

Jaffna 40 000,

Sri Lanka. Mobile: +940779225672 

Being a professional in the above field I had the opportunity to associate in the entrepreneurial development activities not only of my clients but on a broader level in the country during the last few decades. Of course I have my own entrepreneurial efforts focused on nature agriculture and renewable energy over a decade now and  attempting for an active involvement in the North and East which some of my Northern and Eastern friends are aware of, and perhaps will be the point of interest to JUICE. 

I beg to say I am resourceful for that and that is why I should actively be participating with yours where I feel we should develop the mechanism for this national/and regional 'perhaps even though late' initiative. For this lateness whom should be blamed undoubtedly the politicians and ultimately to the very people who elect them but let us be out from this blame game and work consciously and lead all of them with their support sharing the experiences of all staying all whatever perceived differences deemed to have. However let us continue the dialogue .......

In this context I cannot help in begging for at least some scant reference to the letter I sent in this January together with one of my mentors for last two decades in agriculture Professor Richard from Leeds a friend of Sri Lanka and particularly now of Jaffna .............

We did not receive any reply back to this....................

 Doesn't this situation shed some light on certain....... things when we embark on a sincere initiative like yours. It may not be pertinent at this juncture but let me give a start to this process probably not being empty handed as regard my aspirations. .......I swear that I am serious about few matters mentioned in this letter. I do know you do not intend having long e mails now hence do the justice to this and what is mentioned their because we have absolute faith on you all,,,,,, I and Prof Richard both will continue in JUICE ...

Nelson Nagasinghe 

Prof: Richard Thornton Smith

E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

31 January, 2014.

Honorable Chief Minister,

Chief Minister’s Office                                                                                                        

Northern Provincial Council,

Kandy Road,

Jaffna.

Sir

Organic Farming and Health & Environment Programme for Northern Province

It has been my great pleasure these past 18 years to be visiting Sri Lanka and helping small farmers together with my Sri Lankan colleagues develop methods which improve returns from agriculture and at the same time support a healthier environment. I previously worked as a professor at the University of Leeds, England and an outline of my activities is attached for your reference.

On a trip to Northern Province in January this year I presented my message to university students and teachers, to staff of a number of farmer and government organizations. I am happy to say these meetings and workshops were well received and that various groups are now keen to follow up these ideas. I have therefore been urged to return in 2015. Of particular note was a most fruitful meeting with the Jaffna Managers Forum who appear anxious to contribute to an initiative which, in particular, addresses public health. 

As you will realize, the use of agrochemicals has led to widespread soil degradation and water pollution in the greater part of this Island, the results of which are now seen in acute health problems. Among these, kidney disease has received much publicity. All this is not surprising as it has emerged recently that Sri Lanka has been using more fertilizer and pesticide per acre than any other country. As parts of the north emerge from many difficult years there is a unique opportunity to establish the organic-ecological method of farming on a wider scale in order to offset the risks from chemicals. I believe such an initiative provides the basis for improving community health and enabling many displaced families to raise their living conditions if such a policy is applied without delay.  At the same time the government is increasingly concerned about the escalating costs of imported chemicals and refined petroleum products. It is therefore possible to envisage a future programme where agricultural support is diverted away from chemical imports and subsidies towards supporting more natural and healthier methods of farming. Such a change would not rest comfortably with major players in the chemical industry and with those who earn commission on such transactions. However, if we are to tackle the serious health problems of the nation and get to grips with the billions of Rupees spent on imports such a transition is essential.

In view of rapidly increasing power requirements in the north and the projected future costs of energy it is essential that effective use is made of the Island’s indigenous resources. In conjunction with my colleague Nelson Nagasinghe who is now working to develop bio mass (Dendro) power generation facilities in the

North and East, it is now possible to frame a substantial project in the North which integrates organic farming with energy generation from fast growing tree biomass. The sale of wood to thermal power plants would lift the income of many small householder / farmers while the harvesting of the green leaf component would provide valuable material for compost and liquid organic fertilizer production.

So if we are to move forward in a courageous and effective manner in relation to these serious issues of our time – how should we proceed?  I suggest that this requires three initiatives. 

·  The first should involve the Provincial Agriculture Department working in conjunction with the Jaffna Managers Forum and the University of Jaffna to put together detailed proposals for how organic methods could progressively replace chemicals in the North over coming years. As this programme would be expected to make a substantial impact on public health I also suggest that the Department of Health also be involved. I believe it is essential that such a dramatic shift in agricultural technology should command the very widest support. I will be happy to be a consultant to this process along with colleagues and associates in Sri Lanka with whom I have been consistently working.

For such an ambitious programme to have a reasonable chance of support it is essential for it to be phased in over a number of years during which time chemical fertilizers should be progressively reduced. Such a transitional practice is already part of Agriculture Department protocols and is known as IPNS – Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management. In this regard there is research to show that reducing pesticides can actually lead to gains in yield of paddy while significantly improving the margin of profit for farmers.

In formulating these proposals it becomes clear that there is a need for training of field officers in organic agriculture to ensure that during the transition period organic ecological methods are consistently applied at the village level.

 ·  The second key initiative for the North relates to Bio mass power production utilizing locally produced and mainly leguminous trees such as Glyricidia  as carbon source. This project requires collaboration with other Governmental Authorities together with participation of investors. Such a project would, as already indicated, support organic agriculture through supply of key resources for fertility. Here too the agricultural field officers of the Provincial Agricultural department should be involved.

I offer these ideas for the future of the North in the hope that they could provide a catalyst for change.  While I remain a foreign national, unaffiliated to any interested party, I command the support of a number of colleagues and associates in Sri Lanka who have encouraged me to express these thoughts before I return home. I herewith entrust my colleague Nelson Nagasinghe to liaise with you and the other relevant parties in this connection.

Yours Sincerely,

Richard Thornton Smith                                                                     

Nelson Nagasinghe (e-mail – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

Mobile: 071 4947207

Tourism in northern region - I am Mythreaji kugathas again, a final year student of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna.

In my point of view we have to highlight our own special things and tradition to attract tourist. And obviously it should be sustainable and should give real benefit to our people. The followings are my points for your consideration,

1. We have quality roads and enough hotel facilities. But we have to know whether all the hotels are registered and who are the employees in these hotels. Most of the hotels and restaurants heir people from outside for employment for cheap wage or some other reason. Whatever it is we have to create courses related to tourism to mold our youth to compete with others (Ex- hotel management).

2. There are some historical places registered as tourist spot but no further development to attract tourist. Example in my village (Urelu) there is a water resource called pokkanai varraa neeruttu (nghf;fiz tw;wh ePH Cw;W),  which is historically remarkable. This water resource is formed by god Rama when he came to save Seetha in the story of Ramayana. Now this resource is under the water supply department and used only for supply water. I think it can be modified as a tourist spot (link-http://www.urelu.com/history.html) .

Mythreaji Kugathas,

Final year B.Sc Agric Student,

Faculty of Agriculture, 

University of Jaffna

I am Mythreaji kugathas, a final year student of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna

I wish to discuss on the message # 14:  Over exploitation of agro chemicals has major impact on human health as well as environment. All the papers and many articles speaking on this topic. But we have to think from the farmers' point of view for the successful results. They can't think about human health and environment quality while they sell their product at the price of 10 or 20. For the organic product there is no separate market in the northern and eastern province and we didn't attain self sufficiently in agri goods yet now so suddenly we can't move towards organic farming. And when we use agro chemicals in recommended level there is no harmful effect. So now we can think about the following,

1. We should have a quality control system for fruits and vegetables to screen poisonous products before marketing.

2. We should promote mass production of bio fertilizers, compost, vermin compost and other bio chemicals which can perfectly substitute for the agro chemicals which will reduce the dependency of farmers on agro chemicals.

3.There is a need of well established extension services to promote the valuable research findings and recommendation of Department of agriculture.      

Mythreaji Kugathas,

Final year B.Sc Agric Student,

Faculty of Agriculture,University of Jaffna 

“Agriculture and Health”,

I am Ms P. Loganathan working as Senior Lecturer in Dept of Bio Science, Faculty of Applied Science of the Vavuniya Campus.

 I have been working on organic farming and soil and water problems. I would like to post the below message in the conference under the sub theme of "Agriculture and Health’.

Indiscriminate use of agrochemicals has led to the pollution and contamination of the soil and water, destroyed micro-organisms and friendly insects, making the crop more prone to diseases and reduced soil fertility and health hazards to human. Over use of nitrate fertilizer causes soil acidity and nitrate pollution in surface and ground water. Soil acidity problem was observed in Vavuniya district and nitrate pollution was observed in Northern part of Sri Lanka. Increase trend of nitrate pollution in ground and surface water was observed  by many researches in Northern part of Sri Lanka and also there is a significant   increase in the incidence of cancer and kidney failure.  There is no clinical trial is available for nitrate pollution and cancer.  But scientist identified there is relationship between nitrate pollution and cancer.  Indiscriminate use of agrochemical for ripening of fruits and vegetables and control of pest and disease during cultivation causes accumulation of  toxic heavy metals (cadmium, arsenic, lead)  in products, soil and water. This causes Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).  Number of CKD patients also increase in Northern part of Sri Lanka.   Consumption of toxic chemical with food and water are the common causes for both diseases in Northern part of Sri Lanka. Bio-fertilizers are eco friendly organic agro-input and more cost-effective than chemical fertilizers. Bio fertilizers are well recognized as an important component of integrated plant nutrient management for sustainable agriculture.  Sesbania rostrata, Crotalaria juncea and Azolla are  important bio fertilizer to improve soil fertility and reduce environmental pollution. Bio char is a good soil amendment for acid soil. Bio pesticides (Neem extract, Ginger garlic chilli extract)   are also eco friendly organic agrochemicals.  Changing the farmers attitude to use bio fertilizer, bio pesticides and bio char in addition to inorganic agro chemicals are the viable alternative to increase the production in sustainable ways and safe the Northern people from dangerous disease. 

P.Loganathan

Senior Lecturer Gr I 

Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna

Referring to the message 12, as Mr Parthiban mentioned, introducing new colleges (either community colleges or University colleges) will benefit the rural people to get their advance education and to work as a dynamic force in establishing industries. Such education, no doubt, will drive the youth to actively enter in to the self employment arena and will eventually support industrial establishment. The introduction of the Technology stream in the Advance Level is one such positive initiative by the government of Sri Lanka. The aim of the introduction of the Technology scheme is mainly to induce arts and commerce opting students to join in Science based Technology stream. Otherwise the majority of students reading commerce and arts will remain unemployed and often under employed. To divert the interest of the youth towards arts and commerce subjects, initiatives are already developed to attract them is towards science based Technology stream. New inventions are needed to a country like Sri Lanka as it has the big brain especially technologically tuned brains. Further the new degree programs, which are specially designed by all Universities in Sri Lanka are to attract the students who perform well in A/L in to the Technology enriched degree programs. Of course the students have the freedom to quit their studies, while in the University, after 2 years by getting Higher Diploma. If they wish to continue, could continue to graduate successfully as a Technology stream product. If the Technology stream is successfully implemented, the students will be directed towards new era of Technology world in their career.

In India various schemes are now in progress for the benefit of students especially those resides in rural and undeveloped areas. As like community colleges, another scheme called Bharath Shewag Samaj is now successfully running. In this scheme more than sixty of career oriented courses has been introduced, any NGO, Hospitals, or other agencies may apply for starting a institute to run these courses. Government will provide the subsidies to these institute and the students will avail education at free of cost. After successful completion of the courses, certificate will be issued; the students will avail for getting loan from bank to start a business related to their diploma. 

K.Parthiban,

Assistant professor in Microbiology

Hajee Karutha Rowther Howdia College,

Uthamapalayam,  Tamilnadu, India.

I was a high jumper and an academic. Last 20 years, except for 2008 and 2009 I come to Sri Lanka six months of each year and do volunteer work in education, agriculture, livelihood projects and sports. 

Thank you Dr. Santhirasegaram for your candid description of the WB project you evaluated. If the WB publishes your teams’ evaluation I would read it and take the issue with the WB HQ in USA.  World Bank, ADB and other international lenders/donors do what the government bids. ADB-Govt Irranamadhu project is another ill conceived project even to the extent that the environmental impact study they commissioned was altered to suit the govt desire and they published that study. The govt did not allow the expert to come to Jaffna to study the environment impact here.

I have facilitated the Northern Education System Review at the request of the NP Minister of Education during the last six months and that report was released on July 17th. Participants of this e-conference can read the Tamil or English version in the website link on the top left hand corner under Education Review Report.

N. Ethirveerasingam. Ph.D. (Cornell Univ.)Mobile: +94 0778277673

Power decentralization for Economic development in Northern region,

I had been worked as economics consultant to evaluate the Northern emergency recovery project (ENReP) of government funded by World Bank. I express in e conference my experiences of economic development, particularly poverty in Northern region after ending the war. Persistence of Poverty in Northern region is because of government’s activities and development  projects which mostly generating income sources to government and Southern people from northern  region as wages, rent for machinery and vehicles, profits from construction and military salary (Defense services in north and East is income generation to Southern people).  

Our team with four members visited various resettled areas of all districts of Northern Province.  We have observed that how resettled people have been used by government to receive foreign aid from donors.  World Bank has assisted US$ 71 million as emergency assistant through economic development ministry to rebuild war affected region particularly resettled area.

1.  We visited Vidathalthivu in mannar district which is fishing village.  Many have connected electricity and water supply under the ENReP.  Very poor people were unable to settle electricity and water supply bills which were beyond their income level.  Without generating income sources to resettled people with sound development activities in livelihood sector, government made these facilities to poor to make income to electricity board and water supply board.  Poor people have paid initial connection fee also with hard settlement.  Safe Water supply is essential service.  But, for recently resettled people, it is luxury service. Poor and funds for resettled people have been used for strengthening the income sources and capital of public enterprises in war effected area. Quarters of public enterprises for workers and officers were luxury and built by this fund.  

2. We visited Nedunkeny, Vavuniya district.  There is a water supply tank with using condition which was made by NEIARP project in 10 years before. But another new water supply project in the cost of  Rs 172 Billion was made by  ENReP  in this area.  After opening of nine months, only 38 families have connected supply.  We asked people why you did not connect safety water supply.   They said that they have one to three unemployed in their families and using them to collect drinking water from little far from their homes.  They do not have enough income to use this water supply in the door.   People for long time in these areas have been living by managing their needs of water and lighting.  Why project made these facilities as emergency need?

3.  Some higher level officers from this project also benefited.  When resettled people  do not have enough space in their home to normal live, this project have built   luxury auditorium and  class rooms to schools which having  more resources and direct connection with officers, vehicle park , boundary  wall, AC to offices and so and so in urban area.  

Why project have spent too much money to mismatch development:

1.  To increase capital of government boards and generate incomes to government in name of development to resettled people.

2. To give construction work to southern companies and for receiving something to all levels.

3.  To give employment opportunities to Southern workers as labors, vehicle and machinery renders etc.  (Project paper says available resources in local area should be utilized from resettled people for income generation to them from project expenditure and monthly locally used resources report should be submitted to government agent.  Few people  from local area  employed from this project)

Some people have objected the development works and their qualities. Military have been used to suppress their oppositions. For example, Kalmadu Tank in Kilinochchi district was rebuilt by this project. New military check points was built and prohibited to visit for local people.

Development experiences in war affected region clearly show that proper guidance under the power decentralization to regional authority and good governance by central government is emergency need for economic development of Northern Province. 

with regard 
 
Dr. S. Santhirasegaram
Dept of Economics
University of Jaffna
Sri Lanka

Phone:+94-0779676783

Referring the message 4 sent by Dulan de Silva, the issues related with NGO’s in Sri Lanka have attracted for debate. No doubt, NGOs and INGOs functioned well in Northern Province and did a wonderful job before 2009 especially during the war period. Livelihood activities were the focus during the time especially for the displaced people. After 2009 also NGOs and INGOs carried out an outstanding performance towards the livelihood programs for the people. However the mechanism to follow up the projects were not inbuilt in those projects, therefore once the project is over, the NGO has left the place without proper follow up mechanism. People of the Province need financial assistance to start their cottage industries or livelihood income generating activities rather than giving anything ‘free’. They should produce the seeds and seedlings to share with other people. The Central bank of Sri Lanka offers 500 million loan schemes through the banks to facilitate the people to start their entrepreneurship ventures. There are success stories on the establishment of women rural development societies and they are operating well with the Grant capital loan. These societies are performing well and managing the capital by distributing the people of the area and the payback loan was 100% in some societies.  The young girls among the resettled families are the committee members and their leadership is highly appreciated by paying and recovering the loan. The women associated in these societies are happy and developing their income by carrying out different activities in their capacity. 

Prof.G.Mikunthan 

Professor in Agricultural Biology 

Faculty of Agriculture, 

University of Jaffna+94 0718475539

I partially accept the views of Mr.Sivananthan Thileeban. The peoples of northeast region of Sri Lanka were extensively affected by the war. Most of the peoples including children, woman and old age peoples lost their family and everything and now become hopeless and helpless. It’s the time for psychologically strengthen their soul and prepare them to live a new life. Apart from the education economy play a vital role in change their life style. Also the Sri Lankan government should change the economic policies in north eastern region for few years. For example the government should relax the  taxes in north eastern region (in India the low tax and tax free for some products is now progress in Union Pradhesh like Pondicherry). And the banks should provide interest free loan for farmers, the government should provide fertilizers, pesticides and other agriculture needs at subside or free of cost. In Tamil Nadu various schemes are now followed like free cow and goat growing scheme. Meanwhile the government can directly purchase the products cultivated by peoples/farmers at reasonable cost without interfere of mediators. So the farmers can get more income. But most of us think that starting new industries in north east can solve all problems, but there must be a permanent remedy to uplift the people.

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K.Parthiban, 

Assistant professor in Microbiology 

Hajee Karutha Rowther Howdia College, 

Uthamapalayam, 

Tamilnadu, India.

Referring to the messages 1&2, as Mr.K.Parthiban said, similar to the Community colleges in India, here also an Institute established at Hambanthota under University of Colombo and named as Institute of Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences. They are pioneering in production of Tissue culture banana.  Tissue culture banana plantlets help to prevent sucker borne diseases in banana. This institute is offering online Diploma and Higher Diploma courses in Agro-Technology in Sinhalese and English to the farming community. They are making arrangements to offer these online courses in Tamil as well. The young girls from farming community of that area were trained in tissue culture technology and doing a wonderful job at Hambanthota under the guidance of the University Grants Commission Chairman, Prof.Kshanika Hirimburegama. The Institute has well equipped facilities to produce tissue culture banana. The tissue culture banana plantlets were distributed to the farmers of all parts of the Country and these bananas are performing well. Now the Institute is planning to offer degree program too. The initiatives to establish Mushroom cultivation, biofertilizers are at the budding stages and hopefully will find its development in near future. Department of Agriculture is doing its best to promote mushroom cultivation in all the five districts and their plan is well appreciated. Now the Provincial Dept of Agriculture and University Grants Commission works together to involve uplifting the livelihood of the people in these provinces

Basically we have fear to do something new. That's why many new approaches, especially public private partnership programs are given up in the middle of the project. The finance commission always insist public sector to go for PPP project. This will definitely help to improve our economy and reduce burden of the government.  For example, Cultivation of medicinal plants has a good market even at International level. But we need guidance from expertise not only from agriculture sector but marketing and industries also. More than that there is a big difficulty in convincing hierarchies to accept the proposals. It is a pity that some good proposals were turned down by some officials before it reaches the authorized official. Therefore change of attitude among bureaucrats is urgently required to make this change. This is why we like to depend on our government to do all for us rather than being a partner to assist our self. Therefore changing public sector as facilitator for private sector and community based organization is most important role which needs to be played to strengthen our people for their development.

Dr. S. Thurairatnam

Commissioner of Indigenous Medicine

Northern Provincial CouncilMobile: +94 0773868580

I would like to post the below message in the conference under the topic "Entrepreneurship and Industrial development". How can academic institutions in North and East part of Sri Lanka spur the regions to be evolved with manufacturing industries ?

The primary business model in North and East highly depends on service based industries. After the civil war in Sri Lanka, there was a huge space for new businesses in North and East which has been excessively affected by the war. Large part of the market space has been, unfortunately, occupied with small and middle service oriented businesses, such as super markets, insurance companies, restaurants, rest houses, showrooms, etc. In addition to that, large number of graduates has been employed in service sectors in recent years. Eventually, all of these make high percentage of the families in these regions to be relying on service sectors for their better life. These all have made the service sectors weak and the individuals who work in those sectors or own these service industries get low income and the regions currently have to face unstable economic trend. So, all these reveal that we must have to strengthen the manufacturing industries. 

It seems there are two ways the academic institutions support the regions on this. Internally the institutions encourage the students to become entrepreneurs in manufacturing sectors while the institutes are helping people out site to establish manufacturing industries. Let me put my thoughts below to see how the academic institutes contribute internally in order to bring more manufacturing sectors in the North and East.

Does not matter whether it is related to IT, commerce, account, art or anything else, academic institutes, especially the universities in these regions, must help their graduates in multiple ways in order to encourage them to become an entrepreneurs in manufacturing sectors. Unfortunately, nearly all of the students, who are graduated from the institutes, are looking for a job in service sectors as it is the way the communities in these regions have been traditionally being trained. Although there are many obstacles for the graduates not to make their careers in  manufacturing industries, the most obvious behind this is that there is only few small manufacturing sectors are out there in these regions and people are not prepared to invest on manufacturing sectors. To mitigate this issue, the graduates have to be encouraged and prepared to set up new manufacturing firms. However there are few, yet strong, hitches for graduates to set up a firm in manufacturing sectors for few other reasons, for example, this kind of careers are not promoted in the society, they have no experience although they are filled with theoretical knowledge, they are not clear enough about the process and procedures in order to start a manufacturing firm and finally they are not able to get enough investment for setting up a manufacturing firm.

The academic institutes should help their graduates and the regions to mitigate these negative thoughts and issues in moving the graduates towards manufacturing industries. The institutions have to update their syllabus to train the students practically to let them experience to establish and operate an enterprise in manufacturing successfully.  The institutes can also help their students to get internships in the manufacturing industries and also they can provide their support to the graduates very strongly in order to find and convince investors. In addition to all of these, they should either come with a unique manufacturing business models or encourage the students to come up with their own model which should be very specific to the regions. Moreover, the institutes have to work together with other academic organizations and government offices in order to provide their graduates the full support.   

At the same time, there is a huge responsibility to the provincial councils too on this. It seems that the councils are working silos under their own agenda. They should have to closely work with the institutes to encourage and support academic community strongly to promoting manufacturing industries in East and North part of Sri Lanka.

Thanks & Regards,
Thilee

Engineer (Technology Service), Virtusa
Mob: +94 77 3971596

Home: +94 21 2050460

I am a consultant on poverty alleviation (micro finance, micro business, skills development and NGO management). I have worked extensively in North during the war period on short term assignments.

I also head Berendina group (www.berendina.org and www.berendina.com) but currently we do not work in North except with one home for girls in Vavuniya. I have these issues regarding poverty and development in North. 

1. Berendina is a local NGO but we were and still are reluctant to work in North due to restrictions put by government and forces on NGO work in North and their bias towards few local ones. 

2. I strongly believe people who were displaced who are returning to their villages need capital to re-build their lives specially homes and livelihoods. No government can give them adequate grants to do this. (Indian's Govt's housing program is a blessing). They need micro credit but at reasonable interest rates. I believe the supply is low. Regional Development Banks and Samurdhi (Divi Naguma to the extent it exists in North) are the two significant suppliers’ .However RDB presence is limited and Samurdhi/Divi naguma procedures are bit stiff. Secondly some need larger loans than what is available. In other districts this is resolved by multiple borrowing. (Which some dislike but later World Bank research in Bangladesh shows is relevant to many who are able to pay two small loans) (Of course finance company provided high interest rate so called micro credit is available especially in Jaffna)

3. Most donors through INGO's UN agencies and large local NGO's mainly did one year livelihood assistance projects from 2010 to 2012.This mainly resulted in few goats, chickens and or agriculture inputs and few equipment been given. Only few of them where wells or such long term benefits were made become sustainable. There was virtually no long term livelihood restoration programs just "get rid of money: type short term projects

Hence though part of the reason why the public voted against the govt nominees was political partly it was also desperation due to inadequate assistance for restoration of livelihoods. However I have not worked in North since 2009 and these are views from far and I stand corrected. The solutions as I see are:

1. Government to be more liberal and encourage NGO's who are working on poverty without putting blanket rules and procedures. 

2. Government should encourage prop-poor micro finance by enacting the Micro Finance Bill and allowing NGO's to take savings and foreign loans as done in Bangladesh. (No need for foreign loans as there is adequate local funds through PKSF) 

3. Donors should not stop funding countries merely on the grounds of them reaching middle level income statues but should continue to assist areas like areas like Northern Province which was seriously affected by a 30 year conflict. 

Dulan de Silva

Chairman Berendina Development Services (gte) ltd &

Berendina Micro Finance Institute (gte) Ltd

I work from home and address is

36/5 2nd Lane Koswatte , Nawala 

Phone 0773508664 

It’s a wonderful opportunity. I appreciate University of Jaffna for its leadership. As an admistrator and a citizen of NP I am happy to be a participant for this conference. It’s high time that we have to think about using potentials of Indigenous Medical system in addressing health challenges. Rather than monopolizing health sector by allopathic system. Provincial Department of Indigenous Medicine is now getting ready to implement Siddha philosophy in reduction of psychosocial issues. Waiting for more messages to follow.

Dr. S. Thurairatnam

Commissioner of Indigenous Medicine

Northern Provincial Council.

Now a day’s various diseases have been explored because of developing resistant against the existing antibiotics by the microorganisms. The control of such disease outbreak is one of the serious issues today. Various researches have been ongoing for the discovery of medicines. Fortunately, the traditional Tamil medicine “Sidtha vaithiyam” followed by saints of Tamil Nadu and north region of Sri Lanka and the ethnic medicines have the solution for control such diseases. In India for the past few years especially in Tamil Nadu, Dengue and chicken gunya outbreak was widely found, and the pathogenicity was heavier than the prior outbreaks. The allopathic medicine fails or slowly controls the outbreak. However, in earlier the ethnic medicines used by of tribal peoples in Tamil Nadu and the traditional Sidtha vaithiyam, the extracts of “Nilavembu” (Andrographis paniculata) called Nilavembukasayam was used to recover from Dengue and chicken gunya. The Ministry of Health, Tamil Nadu government also accepts and provides Nilavembu kasayam to the patients and the peoples at all health centers. So the investigation could be stimulated to renovate to find the medicines used by the saints or sidharkal and the ethnic peoples. The exploration of ethnic medicines might bring a solution for unanswered diseases. 

I wish to participate in the e conference as well as conference held on December. I pray the almighty for a  peaceful life, rights and education for the students and peoples resides in North east region. “It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive, but those who can best manage change.” ― Charles Darwin It is the time to accept and follows the Darwin’s concept in the northeast region of Sri Lanka. The role of academician and researchers is the most prominent for the uplift of peoples in the northeast region. Some special schemes should introduce for the education of school dropouts. The universities should introduce special programs as like community colleges introduced by the University Grant commission in India. The Community college scheme gives an opportunity for the peoples (both educated and uneducated), woman and unemployed youths to learn short term carrier oriented courses. The science departments must take the effort to start courses like Mushroom cultivation, Honey bee production, silkworm cultivation, biofertilizer's production, medicinal plant cultivation, spirulina production, agar production, etc. With the development of technologies and greater realization of their nutritive values, mushrooms occupy kitchens of several parts of the world. It is necessary to make aware among a large number of people and optimize the simple methods for successful cultivation of edible mushrooms. Commercially, mushrooms are grown indoors and cultivated using paddy straw. On compared with oyster mushrooms button and milky mushroom have a more demand throughout the world. So the cultivation of such mushroom at low cost using various renewable sources should be implemented. Apart from using the paddy straw research should be conduct for using waste materials as vegetable waste, saw dust, tea waste, etc