News
SLT-MOBITEL Enterprise introduces novel Fazenda Smart Agro solution integrating digital technology to farming
Contributing to sustainable food production, and helping to increase agriculture efficiency and productivity, SLT-MOBITEL Enterprise, is empowering farmers by introducing the Fazenda Smart Agro solution integrating IoT & AI-based technology to Sri Lankan farming.
Developed by SLT-MOBITEL Enterprise The smart farming solution caters to macro- to large-scale farms and is currently launched as a pilot project at the University of Peradeniya, Kandy, and a commercial project in Balangoda Plantation, in collaboration with agrologists and SLT-MOBITEL technical experts. Furthermore, this implementation is enabling the precision agriculture concept for the first time in Sri Lanka.
Fazenda Smart Agro offers a comprehensive service for agribusiness enterprises, comprising of a complete 24×7 monitoring and management solution that you can access from anywhere using a PC or Mobile.
Deploying the Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart farming to transform the future of local agriculture, the Fazenda Smart Agro solution is set to improve operational efficiency, maximize yield, and minimize wastage through real-time field data collection, data analysis, and deployment of control mechanisms.
The solution offers 24×7 real-time monitoring of farm conditions, threshold and location weather monitoring, crop analytics, water management, machine automation, and fertigation ensuring farmers reduce waste and enhance productivity, contributing towards healthy plant growth and better yield.
The solution infrastructure includes the Agro Sensing Network with multiple sensor setups to monitor agricultural parameters of soil, air, and rain, while the Smart Agro IoT platform is connected with wired/ wireless gateway to collect sensor data. Going beyond traditional monitoring, Fazenda Alerting Engine identifies anomalies in sensor data and generates real-time smart SMS alerts and the Fazenda Analytic Engine visualizes historical sensor data.
The Fazenda Smart Agro Application platform collects data and analyses them. The Dashboard includes real-time readings of sensors and historical data with insights from AI-based data analytics. The data is downloadable and offers data visualization and the ability to predict yields. Importantly, though the solution is cloud-based, data resides locally within SLT ensuring farmer’s data security.
The in-built yield management module offers daily management of harvested crops. The solution also comprises a Smart Agro Sensor Pack that makes farming processes data-driven and automated.
As part of Fazenda Smart Agro solution, the Portable Soil Tester, enables farmers, to analyse nutrients in the soil in an accurate, affordable, and reliable way. The Fazenda Portable Lite and Fazenda Portable Pro help to make easy informed decisions on how to fertilize the soils.
The Fazenda Smart Agro solution is a novel product to be introduced by SLT-MOBITEL Enterprise, as it extends its portfolio and digital footprint across multiple sectors. Additionally, the Fazenda Smart Agro solution stands out among other competitors and similar offerings for its superior technology such as its AI integration (Raccoon AI).
Looking to disrupt the agriculture sector further, the Fazenda Smart Agro solution future roadmaps include the ability to manage multiple farms and remote monitoring of enhanced fertigation and water management and extent it to the smart polyhouse.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
