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University of Peradeniya's 50th annual agricultural
congress The annual congress is the foremost forum for the presentation of research in agriculture and related fields. Prof. R.O.Thattil, Director of the PGIA has depicted the role performed by the Annual Agricultural Congress as one that "provides a forum for research students of the Institute as well as those from other universities, local and abroad, to present their research findings." He points out that "it brings together scientists of all universities, research institutes, governmental and non-governmental organisations to meet and discuss research areas of current importance. "The congress has been a source of encouragement to researchers, especially postgraduate students in agriculture at Peradeniya. It provides a distinguished and learned audience for young scientists to present their research. Research on agriculture and related fields have been poorly funded. Sri Lanka has one the lowest levels of funding for agricultural research in the world and even in the region. The significance of research in increasing productivity and contributing to economic growth remains unappreciated in developing countries like Sri Lanka,” according to a statement from the organisers. Among this year's presenters are R.G. Elders, Head of the Land Resource Unit of the University of Manitoba, Canada and Dr. V. Krishnapillai of Monash University in Australia with Dr. Reng Wang, Deputy Director General of the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines as the chief guest. Several private
firms have generously funded the Congress programme and there has
been an increasing participation of private sector agriculturists.
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