Training / Workshops
At our farm, we support empowering our community by disseminating information and skills. We provide a variety of training programs and workshops covering a range of farming and agricultural themes as a result. In order for you to learn by doing and get the most out of your experience, our programs are made to be interactive and hands-on. Additionally, we provide undergraduate students with a great opportunity to advance their careers through training programs by sharpening their abilities and gaining experience.
01. Training and Publication
We provide special training opportunities (internships) for undergraduate students in their last years of university as part of our commitment to education and research. Our program give students the chance to conduct research and share their findings, as well as gain practical experience in sustainable agriculture and agribusiness. Our farm functions as a real-world learning environment where students may learn about topics such as soil health, crop production, sustainability, and agribusiness while also interacting with the local population and contributing to a wider discussion about food and agriculture. We inspire students to take advantage of this great opportunity to learn useful skills and contribute significantly to their field.
02. Hands-on Workshops
We provide a variety of training programs for anyone interested in learning more about sustainable and commercial agriculture. Among the training programmes we address are beekeeping, nursery management, protected agriculture, and farm designing (both ecologically and economically). We have something for everyone, whether you're an inexperienced farmer wishing to establish your own farm or an experienced farmer interested in gathering up new skills. Our programs are planned to be interactive and hands-on and are guided by professionals in the fields. Discover the new knowledge and skills by coming with us to our upcoming training session.
Bee keeping
An introduction to bee colonies, hives, and equipment is provided in the beekeeping training workshop, along with instructions on how to catch and install a swarm in a hive. The control of pests and diseases, honey extraction, and the creation of additional bee products are among the topics covered in the training for participants. Participants get the chance to practice these methods in a real-world context because the program places a strong emphasis on practical application. Beekeeping is an enjoyable and rewarding passion, whether it is done for commercial purpose.
Farm designing (Ecologically)
A variety of topics connected with ecological agriculture are covered in the Farm Design (Ecologically) training course. Participants will gain knowledge on the best crop combinations, cultivation strategies, and ecological land development practices. The program covers instruction in the creation of organic fertilizers and pesticides, the use of various irrigation techniques, the management of plants, training and pruning, harvesting, post-harvest handling, record-keeping, and documentation. In general, the training program equips participants with the skills and information required to establish and operate an ecological farm.
Farm designing (commercially)
The Farm Design (commercially) training program offers thorough instruction on many different aspects of agriculture. The participants will gain knowledge of crop combinations, cultivating methods, and land development plans. In addition to instruction in various irrigation techniques, the program covers plant management strategies like training and pruning, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. The program also includes record-keeping and documentation to guarantee the farm's long-term viability from a business perspective. In general, the training programme gives participants the knowledge and abilities needed to put good agricultural practices into practice for profitable farming.
Nursery management
A variety of topics related to the nursery industry are covered in the nursery management training course. Participants will learn about the design and construction of commercial nurseries as well as the requirements for certification. Various plant propagation methods, including seed generation, seedlings, shoots, suckers, layering, and budding are covered in the program, along with instruction on nursery media preparation. Participants have opportunity to learn about managing plant nutrients, controlling pests and diseases as well as recording and documentation for effective nursery administration.
Protected agriculture
A variety of important topics regarding the growing of plants in regulated environments are covered in the Protected Agriculture training course. Participants will gain knowledge about various constructions, including half-constructions such as insect-proof netting and poly mulching, as well as polytunnels and greenhouses. Site selection is another component of the program, and it addresses elements like lighting, water availability and quality, land preparation for construction, weather patterns, and pest populations. Participants will also learn how to choose crops based on market need, pest and disease conditions, planting material, growing media, and agroecological zone. The course further covers crop management, which includes pest and disease control, scheduling of watering, fertilizer, and chemical applications, training and pruning, and harvesting for each type of crop. Finally, the training will educate participants on the significance of documentation and record-keeping for effective control environment management.
03. Collaborations
The University of Ruhuna and our farm collaborated to facilitate a number of events and programs, including a workshop, internship programs, and gatherings. These events will give people an opportunity to improve their knowledge and abilities in different agricultural-related fields. In particular, we are collaborating closely with the agriculture department, which is the Matara district's main training facility for agriculture. In partnership with the Department of Agriculture, we want to give farmers the excellent training they need to become more productive and efficient in the agricultural industry. Through this partnership, we hope to build a strong network of agricultural professionals and specialists that can support the expansion and development of the agricultural industry as well as the well-being of farmers and the community.