Understanding Land Degradation (eBook)

Much of the earth's population is dependent on agriculture as it provides food for their sustenance. Successful crop production depends to a considerable extent on land and climate. Soil is the main component of land and a fertile soil is essential for crop growth. However, soil fertility declines over the years mainly due to land degradation.  Hence, implementing appropriate measures to control land degradation is important. 

Dr. Stanley Weeraratne, an agricultural graduate of the University of Ceylon, completed his PhD at Wye College of the University of London in 1972. In 1980 he  was appointed Professor and Head,  Dept. of Agronomy, Ruhuna University  Sri Lanka. Later he joined the Univ. of South Pacific  and after a few years he was appointed a Soil Fertility and Microbiology Specialist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Subsequently Dr. Weeraratna  was appointed Professor and Head, Dept. of Soils and Water Resources Management,  of the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and later he was appointed Chairman of Sugarcane Research Institute of Sri Lanka. He was elected Chairman of Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum  a few years ago and at present is a member of the forum.