Organic fertilizer utilization in commercial farming has become one of the key objectives aligns with the vistas of prosperity declared by the government’s national policy. In order to enhance the performance of organic farming,
usage of organic fertilizer is encouraged and the adequate production of organic fertilizer is a complex process with high engagement of labour, time, technologies, machinery & materials. Compost is the common organic fertilizer type which is widely used in Sri Lanka. Taking these factors in to account, NERD Centre developed three types of machines, to be used in compost manufacturing process.
Medium scale compost shredder, large scale compost shredder and the compost turner are these newly developed machines during very shorter period of time with maximum utilization of available resources. Large scale compost shredder & turner can be used in large scale manufacturing plants where as medium scale compost shredder is more suited for medium scale & small scale farming sites.
Official introduction & demonstration of these machineries was held on 11th November at NERD Centre premises. The chief guest was the secretary to State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, and Research & Innovation Mrs. Deepa Liyanage. Other higher officials in the State Ministry, Mr. Rizmin Razik the board member representing NERDC Board of Directors, Prof. Sirimuthu, the Commissioner Sri Lanka Inventor’s Commission and Dr.
Himal Suraweera, renown Scientist and senior lecturer in University of Peradeniya were among the distinguish guests. These guests were accompanied by the Chairman Prof. Leelananda Rajapakshe, Director General CEng. Ananda Namal, Deputy Director General (R&D) CEng. Ajith Jayasooriya and Deputy Director General (Services) CEng. Shantha Jayasinghe. Mrs. Deepa Liyanage , appreciated the effort & the contribution of NERD Centre towards the national development goals and pointed out the importance of developing these kinds of machineries using locally available expertise. All other Directors, Department Heads and staff members participated. Demonstration was arranged by Agriculture Engineering & Machine Development Department and Director & Senior Engineers together with their other staff carried out the demonstrations.