Abstract:
Wthe topic "tissue culture technology for rural agriculture development: a case study in
WMhimbantota'' was selected because of the importance of adopting biotechnology in our
i mm try, where agriculture is still the main income of the rural sector and Agric -
mproducer/ the farmer, is faced with open economy, globalization and with WTO trade
WNtlicies but hardly with any modern biological/agricultural technology for food
'induction.
ssue culture technology is a soil-less type of growing and can be defined as "Growth of
lunts cells, tissues, organs or organisms in an aseptic condition on an artificial medium
fjft a glass or plastic vessel". Globally, tissue culture technology has advanced to such an
%tlent that it is now recognized as a multi billion $ industry.
Mugampura Agrotechnology & Community Service Center, University of Colombo
located in a rural sector at Weligatta, Hambantota (250 km from Colombo) is an ongoing
project to assist rural development through science & technology, especially agrohiotechnology.
This project is the first ever kind developed by a University system in Sri
I unka in collaboration with Government & other organizations.
hloin Objectives of the project are for University to play a direct role in directing
ili-velopment activities of the rural sector of the country and to fulfill one main
responsibility of universities - Extension/Community services, while being engaged in
I inching and R&D. The universities and researchers are linked through the center,
Willi the community for an effective transfer of science/knowledge & technology. The
(I/tempt is to educate & empower especially the women and thereby to achieve rural
0dor development.
