Our Activities for year 2021
Soil Science Society conducted webinar "Way Forward to Sustain Agricultural Production with Organic Fertilizers"
Considering the latest developments on the government regulations on importing chemical fertilizers and promotion of the use of organic fertilizers, the SSSSL conducted an online panel discussion session on “Way forward to sustain agricultural production with organic fertilizers” on 17th May 2021.
The objective of the session was to open up a platform to foster an evidence-based scientific panel discussion related the crop production and soil related aspects pertaining the decision on the total replacement of the use of chemical fertilizers by organic fertilizers. Fifteen members of the SSSSL representing different crop sectors, research institutes and academia served as panellists for this session which was conducted for the fellow members of SSSSL.
Soil Science Society submitted a letter to HE President highlighting concerns of the Society on importing organic fertilizers
In view of recent developments of policies of the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka, the Soil Science Society convened an executive committee meeting and had lengthy deliberations on the potential threats to soils of Sri Lanka on the use of imported organic fertilizers. Based on these discussions, a letter with a report was submitted to HE President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapakse on 16th May 2021
Soil Science Society submitted members observations on the draft National Agricultural Policy of Sri Lanka
The soil science society of Sri Lanka (SSSSL) is one of the oldest professional societies in Sri Lanka having a membership of 347 members. The membership includes soil scientists representing the academia, Department of Agriculture, research institutes and the private sector. Thus, as a main stakeholder of the precious soil resource of Sri Lanka and agriculture at large, the SSSSL is vested a national responsibility to contribute for the National Policy of Agriculture. Thus, the members were requested to provide their comments on the draft policy and subsequently received comments were discussed at the executive committee level. Comments were forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture for necessary actions.
50th Annual session and Annual general meeting
The 50th Annual sessions and Annual general meeting of the Soil Science Society was held on 5th March 2021 at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya with the participation of members through on-line and executive members on-ground. The customary Joachim Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof. Udaya Vitharana, Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. The lecture entitled “Soil Survey and Mapping in Sri Lanka, Past and Future Trends” was an eye-opener for fellow scientist about the present status of soil information availability in Sri Lanka and future prospects in the development of spatial soil information inventories.