An Agriculture Exhibition was held at the District Agriculture Research Center, Thirunelveli, Jaffna District, on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of October 2024 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The event was organized under the theme “Towards the Era of Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Agriculture.”
The exhibition highlighted the importance of integrating biodiversity into sustainable agriculture, showcasing innovative farming practices that promote ecological balance and long-term productivity. Exhibits and demonstrations focused on agroforestry, crop diversification, organic farming, and the role of pollinators and soil microbes in maintaining soil health. It was emphasized how biodiversity conservation enhances resilience against climate change, pests, and diseases, ensuring food security while protecting natural ecosystems.
On the first day of the exhibition, Hon. Governor of the Northern Province Nagalingam Vedanayagam graced the event as the Chief Guest and ceremonially inaugurated the function. He was joined by Prof.P.Ravirajan, Dean/Faculty of Science, Prof. R. Gnaneswaran/ President JES, CEnv.P (SL), Miss.R.Nithiyagowry/ Senior treasurer ZSA and esteemed senior staff from the Department of Zoology,Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna.
For the third time, the Zoological Students’ Association (ZSA) of the Department of Zoology, University of Jaffna, proudly participated in this exhibition under the guidance of the Jaffna Entomological Society (JES), with the invaluable support of the senior staff of the Department of Zoology. We successfully completed all the work within just four days, thanks to the unwavering dedication and hard work of the students, along with the invaluable support of the Head of the Department and staff.
The Agriculture Exhibition warmly welcomed the participation of farmers, members of the Farmer’s Organization, farm women’s organizations, young farmers’ clubs, rural development societies, and other village-level organizations. School students and teachers, government officers, staff from various organizations, well-wishers, and the general public also actively participated in the event and hands-on demonstrations, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration for a more sustainable agricultural future.
Biodiversity plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by promoting ecological balance, improving soil health, and enhancing natural pest control. To emphasize its significance, the Jaffna Entomological Society (JES), in collaboration with the Zoological Students’ Association (ZSA), organized an exhibition on “Integration of biodiversity for sustainable agriculture.”
Event Highlights
📅 Date: October 2nd – 4th, 2024
📍 Venue: District Agriculture Research Center, Thirunelveli, Jaffna
🎯 Audience: Students, farmers, general public and agricultural professionals
The exhibition began with an introduction to biodiversity and its role in sustainable farming. Students explained how diverse agricultural systems are more resilient to pests, diseases, and climatic fluctuations. This exhibition focused on sustainable pest management, showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. Under the primary guidance of Prof. R. Gnaneswaran/ President JES, CEnv.P (SL), with additional support from other academic staff members of the Department of Zoology, University of Jaffna, 3M and 4M Zoology Honors students led the exhibition, presenting interactive models, case studies, and educational banners that demonstrated the importance of biodiversity in maintaining resilient agricultural systems.
4M Students’ Exhibits: Sustainable Pest Management- Key Takeaways
🌱 The Power of Natural Pest Control
One of the main themes of the exhibition was reducing chemical pesticide use through biological control methods. Visitors learned about:
✅ Natural enemies of pests – Predators, parasitoids, and pathogens that help control pest populations.
✅ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – A balanced approach that combines biological, cultural, and mechanical control methods.
✅ Eco-friendly pest control alternatives – Crop rotation, organic farming, and companion planting to enhance biodiversity.
✅ Graphical representations and models illustrated how pest populations rise due to changes in environmental factors and the overuse of chemical pesticides.
🚨Why Reduce Chemical Pesticide Use?
Chemical pesticides, while effective, have long-term negative impacts:
⚠️ Harm to beneficial insects (pollinators, predators, parasitoids)
⚠️ Soil degradation due to pesticide residues
⚠️ Development of pesticide-resistant pests
🐞 Beneficial Insects in Agriculture
Beneficial insects play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by naturally controlling pest populations. Unlike chemical pesticides, which often harm non-target organisms and disrupt ecosystems, these insects contribute to sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for synthetic pest control measures. The exhibition emphasized their importance through detailed models, banners, and case studies, helping visitors understand how these insects function within an agricultural ecosystem.
1. Pollinators: Boosting Crop Yield and Biodiversity
2. Parasitoids: Nature’s Silent Pest Controllers
3. Predators: The Natural Hunters of Agricultural Pests
4. Pathogens: The Microbial Warriors Against Pests
5. Detritivores: The Soil’s Hidden Benefactors
Real-World Success Stories
✔️Fall Armyworm Management: Strategies using natural predators and biocontrol agents to combat this invasive pest.
✔️Papaya Mealybug Control: The role of parasitic wasps and ladybugs in suppressing mealybug populations.
✔️Black Soldier Fly Farming: How these larvae contribute to organic waste management and sustainable livestock feed production.
✔️Coconut Whitefly Infestation: A Threat to Coconut Trees (One of the key exhibits at the event focused on Coconut Whitefly (Aleurodicus spp.), a major pest affecting coconut plantations. The banner display provided clear visuals of the pest, its impact on coconut trees, and eco-friendly control methods raising awareness about eco-friendly pest management and encouraged farmers to adopt sustainable solutions for healthier coconut plantations).
4M’s Farming Model: Organic vs. Chemical
Toxic truth:Why Chemicals Don’t Belong in Agriculture
The 4M team has built a model comparing organic and chemical farming with a before and after harvest setup.
• Before harvest: Organic farming uses compost and natural methods, while chemical farming relies on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
• After harvest: The organic side shows healthy crops and rich soil, while the chemical side highlights concerns like soil degradation.
This simple yet powerful demonstration helped students understand the impact of farming choices on the environment.
3M Students’ Exhibits: Sharing knowledge for Sustainable Agriculture
The 3M students showcased three key exhibits that brought sustainable agricultural concepts to life:
🌾 1.Integrated Farming Systems (IFS): A Holistic Approach
This model demonstrated how diversified farming can enhance productivity and sustainability. By integrating:
🌳 Agroforestry – Integrating trees with crops for enhanced biodiversity.
🐄 Livestock-Crop Integration – Using animal manure as a natural fertilizer.
🐟 Aquaculture in Agriculture – Utilizing fish farming to improve nutrient cycling.
🌾 Crop cultivation – Maximizing land use efficiency.
Visitors learned how IFS reduces reliance on external inputs, such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides, while improving farm resilience against climate change.
🌟 2. Hologram Set Up: A Futuristic Approach
A unique highlight of the exhibition was the hologram display, which provided an interactive 3D visualization of sustainable agricultural practices. This setup:
🔹 Illustrated biodiversity-friendly farming methods.
🔹 Showcased pest management techniques in action.
🔹 Engaged visitors with immersive learning experiences.
The hologram technology made complex ecological interactions easier to understand, helping farmers and students grasp the importance of biodiversity in agriculture.
🪲 3. Eco-Friendly Pest Management Techniques and Traps
To address pest control challenges without harming biodiversity, students presented:
🦗 Natural Pest Control Methods – Using predators, parasitoids, and microbial bio-pesticides.
🌱 Companion Planting – Growing plants that naturally repel pests in the form of trap crops.
🪤 Innovative Pest Traps – Demonstrations of pheromone traps, sticky traps, and light traps to reduce pest populations without chemical pesticides.
This exhibit emphasized the importance of reducing pesticide dependence to protect pollinators, soil microbes, and beneficial insects.
By merging scientific knowledge with traditional farming practices, the exhibition empowered local farmers with practical, eco-friendly solutions. The participation of 3M and 4M students from the University of Jaffna, along with ZSA and JES, ensured that the event was both educational and impactful.
🍃Hands-on Learning: Model Exhibits Bringing Agricultural Concepts to Life!
“Day 1 Snapshots: Capturing the Essence of Agricultural Excellence”
Our Dedicated Team | ZSA & JES: A remarkable start! The passionate members of the Zoological Students’ Association (ZSA) and the esteemed staff of the Jaffna Entomological Society (JES) on Day 1 (October 2, 2024), coming together for an inspiring exhibition.
Empowering change: Honorable Governor Mr. N. Vethanayagam visited our ZSA stall, where she (ZSA- 4th year) explained the harmful effects of chemical usage in agriculture.
Sales highlights: Bookmarks, File cover and pencil cases
Capturing the Best of Day 02 – Moments of learning, interaction and inspirations
Day 03- Final day: “Sowing the Seeds for Tomorrow: Wrapping Up Our Agricultural Journey!”
The collaboration between JES and ZSA at the Northern Province Agriculture Exhibition 2024 was widely appreciated, reinforcing the need for biodiversity-based agricultural solutions. As we continue to explore sustainable agricultural practices, ZSA and JES remain committed to educating and empowering communities. Stay connected with us for more updates on biodiversity conservation and eco-friendly farming in future.