Discovering Sri Lanka’s Agro Technology Park Gannoruwa: A Hub of Agricultural Innovation

Nestled in the tropical climate of Kandy, the gateway to the central highlands of Sri Lanka, Agro Technology Park Gannoruwa stands as a beacon of agricultural excellence. Managed by the Department of Agriculture, this expansive park sprawls over 2 square kilometers and is strategically positioned along the loop of the Mahaweli River in Gannoruwa, where a majority of agricultural institutions converge.

At an elevation of approximately 1550 feet (473 meters) above sea level, this agro-technological haven has become a focal point for efficient agricultural management, thanks to its working committee comprising representatives from various units. This collaboration ensures that the park operates as an ideal space for the dissemination of agricultural knowledge and the demonstration of cutting-edge practices.

The Agro Technology Park boasts more than 30 diverse agricultural demonstration plots, encompassing a wide array of subject areas under the agricultural umbrella. These plots serve as living laboratories, showcasing model home gardens, museums, mushroom units, tissue culture facilities, pest and disease management units, plant quarantine facilities, spice gardens, soil conservation areas, herbal units, traditional chana cultivation, tea gardens, lake culture, sorjan cultivation, rice fields, and much more.

Noteworthy units within the park include high-tech agriculture units with micro-irrigation and protected cultivation, a traditional food court (hela bojun), seed and planting material sales outlets, DOA publications, value-added food sales outlets, and GAP vegetable and fruit sales outlets.

The park is open to the public on all weekdays and Saturdays, except Sundays and other public holidays, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Entry fees are modest, with different rates for local and foreign visitors, ensuring accessibility to all.

Objectives Driving Agricultural Excellence:

1. Dissemination of Agricultural Information: The park aims to provide timely and crucial agricultural information to the public.
2. National Level Agricultural Exhibitions: Conducting exhibitions representing the Department of Agriculture on a national level as per demand.
3. Edible Landscaping Promotion: Encouraging edible landscaping to motivate home gardening activities across the country.
4. Preservation of Traditional Knowledge: Safeguarding traditional and indigenous knowledge and technologies related to the agriculture sector.
5. Promotion of Agro Tourism: Fostering the concept of agro tourism to conserve traditional agricultural values and optimize profitability.
6. Training for NVQ Level Students: Offering training programs for NVQ Level 4, 5, and 6 students from agricultural institutions.

Diverse Services Offered:

1. Agriculture Extension: Providing agricultural extension services through demonstrations and exhibitions.
2. Venue Arrangement: Offering venue arrangements for special functions by the Department of Agriculture and Ministry of Agriculture.
3. Consultancy Services: Providing consultancy for edible landscaping site designing and agro tourism.
4. Agricultural Training: Conducting special agricultural training sessions.

Engaging Activities:

1. Management of Demonstration Plots: Overseeing more than 30 agriculture demonstration plots covering various aspects.
2. Knowledge Dissemination: Sharing agricultural knowledge and skills with the public through verbal instruction, informative display boards, and leaflets.
3. Practical Training: Offering practical training opportunities for visitors to develop skills, especially in areas like mushroom cultivation.
4. National Exhibitions: Organizing and conducting national-level agricultural exhibitions.
5. Street Drama Performances: Using street drama as a medium to convey technical messages to rural communities.
6. Design and Construction: Designing edible landscaping sites, technology parks, exhibition sites, and agro tourism sites, along with constructing field and name boards for DOA institutes.

Agro Technology Park Gannoruwa stands not just as a park but as a dynamic platform driving agricultural innovation, knowledge dissemination, and sustainable practices in the heart of Sri Lanka. It invites visitors to explore the richness of agricultural diversity and be a part of the ongoing agricultural revolution.