Universities can support national development programs in the country extending their services and sharing physical and professional resources with a vast majority of students who are qualified at the Advanced Level but not privileged to enter universities, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. SBS Abeykoon said.

At the passing out of 40 community professionals who completed a 45-day residential training program at the Agriculture Faculty of the university, Prof. Abeykooon said that universities have confined themselves to the traditional role of awarding degrees to a few students who have passed the Advanced Level examination but have neglected the vast majority of students who have been left behind thus neglecting the national needs of the country.

We are happy to support national development programs launched by the Ministry of Economic Development by giving scientific and practical training in agriculture for youth. This program is practical and directly focused on young agricultural entrepreneurs who are ready to start self- employment ventures, he said.

Under the program 40 youth from rural areas were trained and the program was launched jointly with the Second Community Development and Livelihood Improvement Project (SCDLIP) of the Ministry of Economic Development to direct community professionals engaged with the project for self- employment ventures.

These community professionals give extended services and support beneficiaries of the SCDLIP and it is expected that they could earn an income by providing these services.
However, the income they received was not sufficient and on instructions from Minister Basil Rajapaksa, a project has been drawn to direct them to self- employment ventures. They participated in a three-month residential training at the Agriculture Faculty of the University and obtained practical knowledge in scientific agriculture practices, use of fertiliser, selection of seeds, post harvest technology, marketing and farming in polytunnel uses.

The project grants 50 percent of the cost of the polytunnel uses, supports them to obtain bank loans and market their products.

The project also includes the implementation of the Divineguma program and commencement of the polytunnel projects in each village in the project area covering seven districts.