General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Signs MOUs with Lanka Biofertilizer Limited (LBF) for Industry Collaborative Project on the development of Biofertilizers

MOU is signed between General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and Lanka Biofertilizer Limited (LBF) on 15th March 2023. Major General Milinda Peiris, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Thushara Weerawardane, Director, Institute of Combinatorial Advanced Research and Education (KDU-CARE), signed the agreement on behalf of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. Mr. Samuditha Kumarasinghe, Director and Mr. Nishan Wikramasinghe, Director/General Manager, signed the Agreement on behalf of Lanka Biofertilizer Limited (LBF). Legal officer, Mrs. Santhushya Sewwandhi (LBF), Professor Charitha Goonasekara, Dean Research and Development, KDU, and the Principal Scientist and Senior Lecturer, Dr. Himali Jayasinghearachchi who initiated research activities on discovering microbial biofertilizer research participated in this occasion.

The use of chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals poses a huge threat to human health and the environment, and currently, the government is significantly burdened by the importation of chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals due to the current financial crisis. Hence, investigating the usage of “bio-fertilizer” as a great substitute for chemical fertilizers that deliver nutrients through the action of nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant development through the synthesis of growth-promoting essence is necessary.