Gannoruwa Agriculture Park
Giving economic value of agro-technology:
Ganga Illeperuma in Kandy
Agriculture is the most important sector of the Sri Lankan economy.
Even though its contribution to the gross domestic product declined
substantially during the past 3 decades, it is the most important source
of employment for the majority of the Sri Lankan workforce.
Agriculture in Sri Lanka mainly depends on rice production. Its main
goal is to achieve an equitable and sustainable agricultural development
through development and dissemination of improved agriculture
technology.
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Students visit the park. Picture: Audio visual centre of
Gannoruwa Agriculture Park |
There are a few agriculture parks established by the department. One
is located at Gannoruwa and the most recent one is at the Bataatha.
Bataatha Park has recently become world famous for having the world’s
first farmers monument at its entrance.
A novel concept in agricultural extension was introduced in 2004 by
establishing an Agro-Technology Park (ATP) at Gannoruwa. There were many
objectives to build this park and the main objective is the capacity
building of various stakeholders of agriculture. The other objectives
include recreation, facilitation of research, promotion of agro-tourism
and generation of funds. The ATP provides information on traditional and
modern technology related to agriculture.
The visitors to the park comprise objective students and general
public and they mainly came from nearby districts.
The majority of adult visitors is directly involved in agriculture
and the main purpose of the visit was to improve knowledge in
agriculture and recreation. The majority ranks the park as an excellent
place for information; applicable technology, and motivation for
agriculture. The total annual welfare generated by the park is equal to
Rs.14.8 million and the park generates positive economic benefits from
the 3rd year of its operation.
The results suggest that the park has achieved its major objectives
of the project. However, attention has to be paid on programs to attract
more early adopters of technology to obtain an immediate impact from the
park services and the omitted secondary objectives.
Purpose of the project
1 Quick information dissemination mechanism for farmers, School
children and General public.
2 A place to see and learn latest recommendations of crop cultivation
and technologies generated by both public and private institutions.
3 A place to see and study traditional/heritage agriculture systems
and future hi-tech agriculture.
4 Education and training mechanism for village level extension
workers as face to face training of widely dispersed large number is
practically an impossible task
5 Strengthening the present research and development activities of
Gannoruwa agriculture complex.
6 Information network among agriculture officers, Govijana Kendra,
agriculture institutes, both public and private.
7 Aesthetically beautiful landscaping with tropical crops.
8 A site for Eco-tourism/Agro-tourism.
9 To prevent losing the Gannoruwa Agricultural Complex due to non
agricultural projects.
10 Generation of funds within the system for its sustainability
11 Sales centre for plants, seeds and other products of government
institutions and the private sector entrepreneurs.
Reference
Second Annual Research Forum of SAEA, 2008: Poster Presentation |
