Four MESA Alumni reunite at Sri Lanka’s “Toxin Free Nation” exhibition on March 6-8 in Colombo. Sanajana, Hemantha, Pushparaj and Ruwan (left to right) pose in front of two banners displaying both MESA and our Global Partner, Lanka Organic Agriculture Movement (LOAM).
Written by Sanjana Silva, MESA Steward 2013
“Toxin Free Nation” attracted nearly one million people including the Honorable President, Honorable Prime minister, ministers and other members of parliament. All government organizations, Ministries, Departments, and private sector companies, NGOs attached to organic agriculture owned more than 300 stalls at the exhibition. Most
importantly it was given free of charge by the Sri Lankan government for its community.
The event also featured special educational stalls relating to new methodologies of organic agriculture, agriculture inputs like fertilizers, botanical pesticides, tools, organic food and products. The exhibition further contributed towards promoting organic farming and securing for future through panel discussion and awareness sessions. For that experts professionals and academics in agriculture shared their knowledge and experiences with the audience.
And I’m proud to say that I, Sanjana, was appointed as a member of organizing committee. Still I work for Department of Agriculture, Western Province as an extension officer. With that opportunity I could render my fullest support and commitment towards the exhibition. This event was organized by Strategic Enterprise
Management Agency which is under the President Secretariat. This exhibition organized for educate people about the bad side of synthetic fertilizers and agro-chemicals. Same time they promoted environmental
friendly agriculture and native knowledge and resources.
Lanka
Organic Agriculture Movement displayed their activities at the exhibition. Especially their awareness programs for organic agriculture, organic certification (Sricert PGS), International programs and partnerships (as with MESA) were demonstrated.
In case of Hemantha, now he has engaged with UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) as a project officer in Sri Lanka. And he represented farmer federation in the event. He is still very involved in seed saving and conservation.
It was great pleasure to us for meet each other and contribute our fullest efforts for this national event.