With the subject of national food security gaining increasing urgency, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in association with the National Science Foundation will conduct a webinar on addressing the challenges of food security from 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm on 7th June 2022.
With impending food shortages in the coming months emerging as a distinct possibility, the impact of the non-availability and reduced availability of required inputs for agricultural production, poultry, and livestock, and fishery output, is of grave concern. The webinar will assess the ground situation in terms of actual needs and address multiple factors affecting the supply of food and nutrition for the people of Sri Lanka.
Presenters and participants will brainstorm to explore solutions that will support the availability of food through adequate local production of food grains, vegetables, fruits, yams, lentils, dairy and livestock products and fishery and other agricultural products, aiming to develop recommendations for stakeholders to implement an urgent action plan.
The webinar will be presented by Dr Ajantha de Silva – Director-General of Agriculture, Prof Buddhi Marambe – Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Mr Mario de Alwis – Chairman, National Agribusiness Council, Mr Rukshan Gunatilaka – Director, Agribusiness Development Ltd, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd and Mr Nandalal Perera – CEO, Hayleys Fertilizers Ltd.
Session panelists will include Prof Ruchira Cumaranatunga – Dept of Fisheries & Aquaculture, University of Ruhuna, Prof. Siri Hettige – Prof Emeritus of Sociology, University of Colombo, Dr W M M A Weerakoon – Consultant FAO and former DG Agriculture, Mr Nirmal Hettiarachchi – Technical Head, Fresh Produce, JK Marketing Services Pvt Ltd (KEELLS) and Dr Renuka Jayatissa – Head, Dept of Nutrition, MRI. The session will be moderated by Rizvi Zaheed, Chairman, Agriculture Steering Committee, Chamber of Commerce & Chairman Sri Lanka Agripreneurs’ Forum.
Corporate sponsors of the session are Commercial Bank Pvt. Ltd and MAC Holdings Pvt. Ltd.
The Webinar will be conducted via Zoom. Participation is free and registration is now open at
https://event.chamber.lk/Details/Event/182
