Expert & Key Stakeholder Workshop for “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use for Improved Human Nutrition and wellbeing”
The Expert and Key Stakeholder Workshop held on the 19th of February 2016 at the “Plant Genetic Resources Centre”, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya, was conducted successfully, achieving its goals of creating a multi diverse forum to address the immediate attention needed to Mainstream Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use for Improved Human Nutrition and wellbeing in Sri Lanka and thereby development of new project proposals to be facilitated and coordinated through the BFN project in the years 2016-2017.

The workshop commenced with the address from the Additional Director General (Research) representing Director General of Agriculture. ‘The global perspective and experience of the project’ was presented by the Dr. Danny Hunter, the global project coordinator followed by the ‘progress and opportunities of BFN project in a Sri Lankan context’ by Dr. Gamini Samarasinghe, the national project coordinator. Subsequent to the brain storming session group work on subproject proposal development was initiated.
A total of 106 individuals took part in the Workshop. Participation of Directors and Research Scientists from different institutes in the
A total of 106 individuals took part in the Workshop. Participation of Directors and Research Scientists from different institutes in the
Department of Agriculture, Representatives from Provincial Agriculture Offices, University Lecturers, Media, Information & Database, Provincial Education Sector, Traditional Knowledge Representatives, Policy Sector and representatives from NGOs were present and contributed vastly to the development of the proposals. A total of ten project proposals were developed and presented. The selected proposals will be further improved and implemented by the BFN Project. Out of the Proposals developed; Awareness programmes to enhance knowledge on nutritional value of food among school children and Improvement of food and livelihood security through Home Gardens were highlighted.


