The Workshop on Publishing Innovations of the Capacity Building Program, has concluded successfully on 13^th of August 2024.  The scholars were published eight research innovations in this workshop.  These scholars were published their research innovations and developed leaflets in Sinhala Language to disseminate research findings to farmer communities.

Following scholars publish their research findings:

Dr. H.R.P. Fernando, Deputy Director, Food Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Development of Lacto-fermented fungal growth inhibitor coating to extend the shelf life and enhance the quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.)”, at University Putra Malaysia. He innovated Biodegradable wax to extend shelf life of mango.

Dr. B. M. S. K. Manike, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “ Estimation of Major Genetic Determinant of Grain Properties through Biochemical Assay,Genotypic and Molecular Analysis of Selected Rice (Oryzasativa L.)”, at University Putra Malaysia. She identified the key genes that affect rice grain quality.

Dr. A. R. R. Ranathunga, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Synchrotron Ftir Image Mapping of Biological Changes, Starch Structure-Rheology relation, and retrgradation of Rice During Milky, Dough, and Mature Stage”, at Kasetsart University, Thailand. He invented to produce cheese using rice.

Dr.  S. I. Rathnayake Gamage, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Gene Mapping of Bruchid Resistance in Moth Bean (Vigna Aconitifolia) ”,  at Kasetsart University, Thailand. She identified the bruchid resistance moth bean.

Dr. K.G.P.B. Karunarathne, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Development of introgression line from allotetraploid Oryza species (CCDD) for genetic improvement of salinity tolerance in rice. “, at University of Philippines Los Banos. He innovated a salinity tolerance rice variety.

Dr. W. R. K. D. W. K. Vidumini Wickramasinghe, Principal Scientist Agronomy (Rice),  Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Characterization and Evaluation of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria From Rice Soils of Wayanad”,   at 'Nagoya University – Japan. She studied helpful bacteria from rice fields in Wayanad that boost plant growth.

Dr. D. M. Withanawasam, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Pyramiding of Genes/Genomic Regions Governing Yield, Water Use Efficiency and Heat Tolerance by Marker-Assisted Pedigree Breeding in Rice”, at Agricultural University, Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), India. He combined genes to improve rice yield, water efficiency, and heat tolerance using genetic markers.

Dr. P. C.J.De Silva,  Senior Research Officer, Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute,  Completed PhD on “Contribution of Farmers Organization to Community Development in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka” at University of Philippines Los Banos. His study showed the farmer organizations are not contributed to development of farmer community as envisaged by the Act in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka,

Prof. Chandrika Nanayakkara, Prof. D. Thilakshi D. Kodagoda  and Dr. Maheshi Aththapttu were invited as expert panel to review  the innovations and their invaluable guidance and expertise contributed greatly to the success of the program.