Arogya 8.0 Project – First Phase: “Suwa Arana”

 

                                             Arogya 8.0 Project – First Phase: “Suwa Arana”

The Project Arogya 8.0, First Phase: “Suwa Arana”, organized by Leo Club of University of Colombo, was successfully conducted on January 16th at Agalawatta Pathiraja Pirivena. This program marked an important milestone in the series of community-based initiatives carried out under Arogya 8.0. The first phase, titled "Suwa Arana", primarily aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle by encouraging the use of organic fertilizer and the practice of home gardening. The project was carefully designed with a strong focus on food security, environmental sustainability, and long-term community well-being.Agalawatta was selected as the project location due to its strong agricultural background and the growing need to raise awareness among local communities about environmental friendly farming practices. Villagers, farmers, youth, agricultural professionals, and other relevant stakeholders actively participated in the program. Pathiraja Pirivena, being a well-respected and easily accessible location in the area, served as an ideal venue. "Suwa Arana" program was conceptualized not merely as a one-day event, but as the foundation for a long-term movement towards healthy lifestyles and sustainable food production.

As a key component of the program, an educational lecture on organic fertilizer was conducted by the Agalawatta Agricultural Service Instructor. During the session, the importance of using organic fertilizer, the harmful effects of excessive chemical fertilizer usage, and the long-term benefits of organic agriculture were clearly explained. Participants also received practical guidance on preparing organic fertilizer using locally available materials, enabling them to apply the knowledge in a cost-effective and practical manner. To further strengthen awareness, informational leaflets on organic fertilizer were distributed among the villagers. In addition, vegetable and fruit plants, as well as seeds, were distributed to encourage participants to turn the knowledge they gained into practice.The participation of officers from the Agalawatta Agrarian Service Center was another significant feature of the program. These officers addressed the concerns raised by villagers and provided valuable information regarding governmental support, services, and assistance available for sustainable agriculture. Their contribution greatly enhanced the overall effectiveness of the initiative.

The enthusiastic participation of the villagers clearly demonstrated the success of the program. Refreshments were arranged for all participants, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere and encouraging social interaction among community members. The main objective of "Suwa Arana" was to promote healthy food production through the use of organic fertilizer and to contribute towards building a healthy and sustainable society.Through Arogya 8.0 and its first phase, "Suwa Arana", Leo Club of University of Colombo once again reaffirmed its strong commitment to social service, environmental protection, and youth leadership. This project highlights that a healthy future can be achieved through collective effort, responsible agricultural practices, and living in harmony with nature. The program was highly appreciated by the officers of the Agalawatta Agrarian Service Center as well as by the villagers, in recognition of its positive impact and value to the community.

Let’s build a healthy tomorrow

.