Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture successfully conducted a workshop on “Dairy cattle nutrition and health management for small and medium scale dairy farmers” and a baseline survey on livestock farming under the UWU-Integrated Community Development Project (UWU-ICDP) on November 22, 2022 at Ella Divisional Secretariat with the collaboration of Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH), Uva Province. The event was a resounding success with the participation of 142 livestock farmers in Ella Veterinary Division. Prof. Saman K. Herath, Dean, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture and Dr. D.C. Mudannayake, Head, Department of Animal Science, Dr. R.M.H. Tharangani, Dr. A.M.N.L. Abeysinghe, Dr. U.D.P. Manjula and the third-year undergraduate students of BScHons (Animal Production and Food Technology) degree programme participated in the event. Also, Dr. Sanath Gamage, Additional Director, Department of Animal Production and Health, Uva Province, Dr. J.J.M.N. Damayanthi, Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Surgeon’s Office, Ella and some Livestock Development Officers, Ella collaborated and attended in the event.

Dr. D.C. Mudannayake, Head of the Department of Animal Science welcomed the gathering at the inauguration ceremony. The inauguration of the workshop was graced by the speeches delivered by Prof. Saman K. Herath, Dean, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture and Dr. Sanath Gamage, Additional Director, Department of Animal Production and Health, Uva Province. Dr. R.M.H. Tharangani, Coordinator of the workshop delivered the vote of thanks. Further. Dr. R.M.H. Tharangani gave an introduction to the workshop and baseline survey.

The workshop composed of three technical sessions followed by a panel discussion. Dr. R.M.H. Tharangani and Dr. A.M.N.L. Abeysinghe representing the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University and Dr. J.J.M.N. Damayanthi, Veterinary Surgeon, Ella Veterinary Division served as the resource persons of the above technical sessions. Additionally, the undergraduates opened up an interactive session with livestock farmers in order to obtain practical knowledge on livestock farming systems and also gathered information in support of completing the baseline survey covering Ella Veterinary Division.