“Innovations guided through communication and capacity development by dairy smallholder farmers adapted to local circumstances, and sustainable for the economy and environment will be necessary to ensure food security in the future globally and in Sri Lanka.”

Research Interests and Future Goals

Kamshajini is from Vavuniya, a northern district of Sri Lanka. She obtained a first-class honours degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Jaffna in 2020. With specialization in Rural Development and Extension, she was the recipient of the Dean’s Merit Award for Best Research in Agricultural Economics in 2019 and held positions as Assistant Lecturer and Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna.

Kamshajini is pursuing a MSc in Capacity Development and Extension under the direction of Dr. Helen Hambly. She is researching the design and implementation of digital extension and capacity building activities involving welfare for dairy cattle and well-being of producers. She is working with researchers a part of the NSERC Alliance and Canada Research Chair program, WELL-E: Enhancing Animal Welfare & Longevity Through Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence Dedicated to Diary Farming. With an agricultural economics perspective, she will compare this knowledge with innovation to support the dairy industry globally and in her home country of Sri Lanka.

Why become an Arrell Scholar?

Kamshajini chose the University of Guelph because of its strong partnerships with high-ranking organizations operating in agriculture and sustainable development, which boosts research capacity and impact. And, she is thrilled that Arrell Food Institute enables its students to gain industry experience and opportunities to learn and network with diverse experts who are at the forefront of agri-food research and innovation.