Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening
overview
Horticulture is an integral part of agriculture and it is the science and art of producing fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and ornamental plants, improving and commercializing them. The diverse range of horticultural crops help enhance the quality of life by providing nutritious food, improving the beauty of communities and reducing the carbon footprint.
Having recognized the demanding values of the modern horticulture industry, the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening has designed its undergraduate curriculum to produce skilful graduates with scientific knowledge, practical know-how and the correct mind-set to cater to the regional, national and global needs. The department offers two specialization modules, namely Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, and Postharvest Horticulture. The undergraduate courses cover the areas of commercial fruit and vegetable production and floriculture, cereals and other field crops production, commercial nursery management, plant tissue culture, landscape horticulture and design, postharvest technology, food science, processing, preservation and value addition, safety and quality management, plant pathology and pest management, apiculture, and emerging technologies in horticultural crop production. Students improve their research and analytical skills by carrying out a full time research project under the supervision of our expert academic staff. The industry exposure provided during the latter part of the programme equip students with hands-on experience in horticulture and food industries. While developing academic skills, we take a holistic approach to strengthen our graduates with transferrable skills (soft skills) via a series of tailor-made programmes organized by the department.
Our highly qualified academic staff members possess a diverse array of expertise and they utilize in their research, teaching and outreach programmes. The department contributes its expertise to three undergraduate degree programmes, namely BSc Hons. (Agriculture), B Biosystems Technology and BSc Plantation Management (External). While conducting MPhil and PhD degrees by research we contribute to Master of Agri-Enterprise and Technology Management by offering the Lifestyle Agriculture Concentration.
Dr. WMWW Kandegama
Head / Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening
Head’s Message
“As academics and researchers in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, I believe our responsibility extends beyond imparting knowledge. Enhancing students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes through quality teaching, innovative research, and practical engagement is essential to developing scientifically competent, independent, and entrepreneurial graduates capable of addressing emerging challenges. We encourage students to critically analyze problems, develop Scientifically-sound solutions, and utilize available resources efficiently, particularly in responding to the impacts of climate change and environmental pressures. Strengthening collaboration among academia, industry, and the community enables scientific knowledge and research outcomes to be translated into practical innovations. Such an approach promotes resource efficiency, recovery, reuse, and circulation, supporting the transition towards a circular economy while minimizing environmental impacts. Through these efforts, we aim to advance sustainable horticultural practices and develop graduates who can contribute through innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsible resource management to a climate-resilient and sustainable future.”