Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (CARP)

The Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) was established  on the 22nd of December 1987 with the enactment of the CARP Act No. 47 of  1987. It  is located in Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

Vision

To develop a vibrant, effective and sustainable system of agricultural research promoting socio-economic development in Sri Lanka

Mission

To strengthen and mobilize research capabilities of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), Universities, Private Sector and other stakeholders in Partnership in the generation and dissemination of appropriate technologies and information for the development of Agricultural sector

Mandated Functions

·        Formulation of a National Agricultural Research Policy

·        Organization, Coordination, Planning and execution of agricultural research

·        Allocating/generating funds for contract research, monitoring and  evaluation, technology dissemination.

·        Develop human resources (scientific & Technical) in the agricultural sector

·        Foster regional/international linkages to access modern technology, information, exchange of scientific staff, germplasm, etc.

·        Disseminate technology and scientific information for agricultural scientists, farmers, private sector and other stakeholders.

·        Periodic review performance on agricultural research projects,  institutions and divisions

·        Repository of scientific information on agriculture and related fields

·        Provide excellence in agricultural research

 

Goals

·        Strengthen and consolidate the national agricultural research system

·        Planning, funding, coordination and monitoring of competitive contract research grants

·        Client oriented appropriate technology dissemination

·        Documentation and research information transfer to stakeholders

·        Improved administration and finance set-up for supporting research

Objectives

·        Identification of sub-sectoral policy perspectives and formulation of agricultural research policy

·        Research planning-priority setting in key disciplines

·        Sustainability of funding for high priority research areas- Establishment of   Competitive Research Grants Program

·        Development of suitable mechanisms for  research monitoring and evaluation

·        Facilitate linkages with public/private sector organizations, universities,  regional and international research institutes/agencies and CG centers

·        Stakeholder information dissemination on appropriate technologies generated

·        Widen and strengthen the scope of agricultural database and CARP electronic library

·        To achieve financial and administrative targets

·        Strengthen research fund disbursement procedure

Activities

·         Identification of policy perspectives in NARS/Universities/Private sector/Others and formulation of an integrated policy framework

·         Provision of assistance and orientation for research planning  and prioritization

·         Awarding of competitive contract research grants

·         Monitoring and evaluation research

·         Workshops, seminars on research projects and current themes

·         Promote local and international linkages

·         Research abstracts and publications in journals/magazines

·         Research highlights in CARP Newsletter

·         Field demonstrations for extension services

·         User friendly software on technological developments

·         Develop databases , ex: INFORM, special bibliographies

·         Update CARP website

·         Provision of financial and administration logistics

·         Funds for human resources development

·         Competitive contract research funds disbursement

·         Staff training for skills development

 

National Committees of the Council

Several national committees facilitate the research and other related activities of the Council. These Committees are representative and include scientists of public and private sector organizations and Non-Government Organizations

v    National Committee on Research Programs and Projects (NCRPP)

(Competitive Contract Research Grants Program, Evaluation of Contract Research, Proposals for funding,  Evaluation of Project Terminal Reports, seminars, workshops, etc.,)

v   National Committee on Plant Quarantine (NCPQ)

Updating plant quarantine regulations, preparation of efficient system for the import and export    procedures for agricultural products.

v   Committee on International Linkages

   ICAR - CARP training program

v    National Committee on Socio-Economics and Policy Analysis

      Priorities on socio-economics and policy analysis on agricultural research

v     National Committee on Plant Protection

  Priorities on plant protection on agricultural research

v     National Committee on Plant Breeding  & Biotechnology

         Priorities on biotechnology on agricultural research

v      AGRINET Advisory Committee

      Steer the Agricultural Information Network activates and allied services

 

Research Priority Areas:

·              Agro forestry/Forestry/Agricultural Systems

·              Aquaculture

·              Crop production/protection

·              Plant breeding, Biotechnology, Genetic resources

·              Inland fisheries and water resources management, micro-irrigation

·              Post-harvest  and processing technology

·              Socio-economic policy issues and marketing

·              Environmental control agriculture,

·              Livestock development

·              Transfer of technology and user friendly software development