With the intention of plowing new paths by planting seeds of change, the faculty of agriculture at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka conducted the Krushi Dakma 2024 Agricultural Exhibition on April 3, 2024, at the faculty premises in Puliyankulama, Anuradhapura. This event was graced by Prof. (Mrs.) GAS. Ginigaddara, the chief guest and the Vice-Chancellor of the University, with the leadership of Dr. Anura Sirisena, acting dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), and the presence of deans of other faculties, the librarian, the acting registrar, and all academic and non-academic staff members of the FoA. It was a celebration of the resilience, ingenuity, and sheer hard work that sustain our agricultural heritage and connect with fellow enthusiasts, farmers, and industry leaders. Exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and ignite collaborations that will shape the future of dry zone agriculture under the theme “Inspire the Future through Sustainable Agriculture.”.
The prosperous crop field and the animal farm, which were the zenith of the 2019/2020 batch students’s dedication and commitment, were displayed at the event. Stalls from government institutes such as the Department of Export Agriculture, the Coconut Cultivation Board, and the National Institute of Post Harvest Management, as well as private companies such as SenzAgro (Pvt) Ltd., Brown & Company PLC, and some stalls from student’s associations of the FoA, have illuminated the exhibition. The Krushi Dakma 2024 attracted more attendees ranging from farmers, schoolchildren, undergraduates, and the general public. One of the most striking aspects of the exhibition was the discussion with Mr. Thambapillai Premendrarajah (MD of Premendrarajah Thampa Plantation’s large-scale jasmine plantation), which was a great platform to delve deeper into critical issues, fostering a greater understanding and awareness of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in jasmine cultivation as a blooming agricultural opportunity.