SLCARP Awards 2019 to recognise excellence in agricultural research

Friday, 25 October 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Council for Agriculture Research Policy (SLCARP) is considered the umbrella organisation of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) that co-ordinates research and development institutes within several ministries of the country.

SLCARP has identified its own perspectives, plans and programs for the future in keeping with the aspirations and goals of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Irrigation and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to meet future challenges in enhancing the domestic food production and exports and focusing on poverty alleviation.

This award scheme for recognising outstanding achievements in agricultural research has been initiated by the Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) as a mandatory function of the SLCARP Act. No 47, 1987. The National Awards for Excellence in Agricultural Research in 2004, SLCARP National Awards for Excellence in Agricultural Research in 2014 and SLCARP Awards for Excellence in Agricultural Research in 2017 were conducted accordingly.

Awardees are selected in four sectors, namely, Plantation, Non-Plantation, Fisheries and Livestock and Poultry, by an independent and competent panel of highly qualified professionals representing universities, the private sector and Government institutions. This year, 53 applications were received from the Plantation, Non-Plantation and Fisheries sectors in response to advertisements appearing in newspapers, the SLCARP website, written communications and posted on the Awards scheme.

Awardees were selected by an independent Main Selection Panel (MSP) comprising highly qualified members with the support of three Sectorial Expert Review Committees (SERC), appointed by the Council of SLCARP. All these panels/committees consisted of independent qualified representatives including expertise from the universities of Sri Lanka, institutions of the National Agricultural Research System and the private sector.

The objective of the scheme is to encourage and motivate agricultural scientists towards achieving higher levels of scientific research, to assist in improving their career prospects and bestowing recognition for outstanding contributions made towards advancing national agricultural development. Such contributions will be judged on the basis of the originality, intrinsic merits and applicability to conditions in Sri Lanka.

SLCARP Awards Ceremony 2019 will be held on 28 October, commencing from 9.30 a.m at the Auditorium, Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC), Gannoruwa, with the participation of officials from institutes in the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) and agriculture faculties of national universities. The chief guest of the ceremony will be Minister P. Harrison and State Minister Wasantha Aluwihare will be the guest of honour. Over 200 guests including secretaries from ministries, chairpersons, director generals and directors have been invited to participate in this ceremony.