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AGRICULTURE EDUCATION AND TRAINING |
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Approximately
8 million Sri Lankans are farmers. In the war-affected areas of
the North and East, 55% of the people are farmers. According to
the recent studies, about 80 percent of people in the North and
East depend on the agricultural sector, when all the related sub
sectors are taken in to consideration. |
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Organic
agriculture is an effective method that helps the poorest farmers
to increase their food security. Organic farming does not require
expensive and external inputs and contribute to the improvement
of soil fertility. The organic agricultural products are safer for
consumption and farmers are free from the hazards caused by the
misuse of agro-chemicals. Under
the ODW programme, agricultural training emphasises on organic and
ecological farming. The trainings range from practical training
courses implemented through NGOs to certificate and diploma courses.
The majority of the partners of the ODW programme are involved in
organic farming activities and have long-term experience. Several
of them are involved in creating a market system for organic products
in Sri Lanka. |
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Following
two institutions are offering new curriculum for such agricultural
training courses. These are fulfilling the formal education requirements
and suits for students from a rural background. |
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Enabling
the youth to engage in long-term development and lasting peace in
Sri Lanka through education. |
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Open
University (OUSL) |
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OUSL
uses its innovative model of distance learning centres for teaching.
Curriculum and appropriate study materials are being developed in
Tamil, Sinhala and English.
Five centres of the Open University near the focus areas are upgraded
to facilitate the course. The courses commence with 100 students
taking part in the first batch and the number and the centres are
to be increased later. |
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University
of Sabaragamuwa |
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Sabaragamuwa
University provides a tailor made diploma course for the needy youth
identified during the study. The university with collaboration of
ODW partner organisations has designed three Diploma courses namely
Organic Agriculture, Agri-business management and Landscaping and
Gardening. The course on Organic Agriculture was specially designed
for the ODW programme while others were ongoing. |
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Eastern
University of Sri Lanka (EUSL) |
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The
Faculty of Agriculture of EUSL through its subsidiary organisation
Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Management (CENSARM),
has started a new course, Diploma in Sustainable Farming (DSF) for
the students identified by ODW partner organisations. |
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Although
the EUSL is not a direct partner of the ODW programme, it is being
a service provider for the ODW partners, starting from 2005. |
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Following
is a short description of the programme. |
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Classes
are being conducted during weekends for a period of one year. |
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40
students identified by ODW partners follow the course in 2005. |
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