“Sustainable Development through Innovative and Resilient Agriculture”
Welcome to the 5th National Symposium (NSATRS 2024)
Welcome to the 5th National Symposium (NSATRS 2024) of the Institute for Agro-Technology & Rural Sciences, University of Colombo for harnessing the advancements in scientific knowledge for the improvement and better performance of farming community and all kinds of stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
The symposium provides opportunities to direct the existing agriculture towards an eco-friendly clean agriculture with the best practices for ensuring global food security and sustainable rural development.
This is a valuable platform for academics, researchers, and research students to present and disseminate the knowledge and experience in diverse subject areas on the theme of “Sustainable Development through Innovative and Resilient Agriculture”
Date & Time: 28th June 2024 from 8.30 am onwards (as a virtual conference)
Venue: UCIARS-Hambantota, Sri Lanka
Our Key Themes
Technological Advancement for Sustainable Agriculture
- Precision Farming
- Climate-Smart Agriculture
- Agricultural Biotechnology for Sustainability
Crop Production and Protection Technologies
- Innovative Crop Breeding Techniques
- Advances in Crop Monitoring and Management
- Pest and Disease Management
- Soil Health and Fertility Management
Food, Nutrition and Post-Harvest Technologies
• Food Processing Technologies
• Post-Harvest Storage and Preservation
• Food Safety and Traceability
Sustainable Livestock Farming and Aquatic Production
• Sustainable Livestock Farming Practices
• Aquaculture Technologies and Innovations
• Integration of Livestock and Crop Production
Entrepreneurship and Rural development
• Agro-Entrepreneurship
• Rural Livelihood Development
PAST SYMPOSIA
NSATRS 2020
1st National Symposium on Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences (NSATRS) 2020 Virtual Symposium
The First National Symposium of the UCIARS, NSATRS-2020 was held on 15th December 2020 as a Virtual symposium on the theme of “A WAY FORWARD IN GREEN AGRICULTURE TOWARDS RURAL DEVELOPMENT”. The objective of the symposium is to dissaminate the scientific knowledge for the advancement of rural livlihood and other stakeholders specially students, researchers and farming community. Local and foreign academics, scientists and students shared their research findings to the symposium. Thirty six research articles were published in the proceedings of NSATRS-2020. Professor Chandrika Wijeyaratne, Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo graced the symposium as the Chief Guest of the NSATRS 2020 and she mentioned that this symposium is a wonderful platform to share experiences and gain knowledge on the application of Green Agriculture to ensure sustainable rural development in Sri Lanka. Dr. W.M.W. Weerakoon, Director General, Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka and Prof. Morio Iijima, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University, Japan joined as keynote speakers for this NSATRS 2020.
NSATRS 2021
2nd National Symposium on Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences (NSATRS) 2021 Virtual Symposium
The Second National Symposium of the UCIARS, NSATRS-2021 was held on 28th June 2021 as a Virtual symposium on the theme of“A WAY FORWARD FOR SMART AGRICULTURE TOWARDS RURAL DEVELOPMENT”. The objective of the symposium is to dissaminate the scientific knowledge for the advancement of rural livelihood and other stakeholders specially students, researchers and farmi
ng community. Academics, scientists and students shared their research findings to the symposium. Fifty one research articles were published in the proceedings of NSATRS-2021. Professor Chandrika Wijeyaratne, Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo graced the symposium as the Chief Guest of the NSATRS 2021 and she mentioned that this symposium is a wonderful platform to share experiences and gain knowledge on the application of Smart Agriculture to ensure sustainable rural development in Sri Lanka. Dr. Richard S. Cahoon, Cornell University, USA joined as key note speaker for this NSATRS 2021.
NSATRS 2022
3rd National Symposium on Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences (NSATRS) 2022 Virtual Symposium
The Third National Symposium of the UCIARS, NSATRS-2022 was held on 28th June 2022 as a Virtual symposium on the theme of “EXPLORING PATH FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE THROUGH INTEGRATIVE RESEACH”. The objective of the symposium was bringing academics, researchers, and professionals in diverse subject areas to promote new horizons that foster enhanced agricultural performances through clean and smart agricultural concepts for ensuring global food security and rural development.
Twenty eight research articles were published in the proceedings of NSATRS-2022. Senior Professor H.D.Karunaratne, The Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo graced the symposium as the Chief Guest of the NSATRS 2022 and he mentioned that the symposium provided a unique platform for researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative farmers and the industry to deliberate and discuss on the diverse areas of Agro-Technology.
Emeritus professor Upali Samarajeewa, University of Peradeniya and Professor Paul A. Iji, The Dean of College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Fiji National University joined as the keynote speakers for the NSATRS 2022.
NSATRS 2023
4th National Symposium on Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences (NSATRS) 2023 Virtual Symposium
The fourth National Symposium of the UCIARS, NSATRS-2023, was held on 28th June 2023 as a Virtual symposium on the theme of “EXPLORING PATH FOR FOOD SECURITY AND SAFETY THROUGH INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURE.” The objective of the symposium was to bring together academics, researchers, and professionals from diverse subject areas to promote new horizons that foster enhanced agricultural performance through clean and smart agricultural concepts, ensuring global food security and rural development.
The symposium featured forty-two research articles published in the proceedings of NSATRS-2023. Senior Professor H.D. Karunaratne, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, graced the event as the Chief Guest of NSATRS 2023. The distinguished keynote speakers for NSATRS 2023 were Professor Buddhi Marambe from the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, and Professor Rajeev Bhat, Professor & Chair Holder, ERA-Chair in VALORTECH, Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU), Estonia, European Union.