Maheshwari Elapata, PhD

Maheshwari Elapata, PhD

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Advisors: Dr. Rebecca Jordan

I was graduated from Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka by specializing in Agribusiness management and thereby earned my master’s in management degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Prior coming to MSU, I was a tenured lecturer at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and was assigned to teach courses in areas of agribusiness and food business management including courses such as agricultural extension, marketing, entrepreneurship, and rural development. Further, being an extension educator, I was responsible for planning, implementing, and teaching educational programs (volunteer work) in a variety of delivery modes. Volunteer work has always been close to my heart, and I always plan to continue giving back to my community.

I am also privileged to work as graduate teaching assistant at MSU. I have taught courses such as  “Applications in Biological Science Laboratory – ISB 208L and Environmental Planning and Management-CSUS 320. My role as a TA has expanded my teaching portfolio related to natural resources management and conservation challenges.

During my time at MSU I was privileged to work under Prof. Rebecca Jordan and Prof. Murari Suvedi. Since I arrived at MSU, I have been serving as a research assistant for MSU’s Alliance for African Partnership-funded research on strengthening undergraduate agricultural extension training in sub-Saharan Africa under the guidance of Prof. Murari Suvedi. This opportunity helped me to hone my research skills by working on qualitative research and gaining exposure to undergraduate extension curricula in sub-Saharan Africa.( https://aap.isp.msu.edu/engage/resources/strengthening-agricultural-extension-training/).

Apart from the interest in capacity development on agricultural extension workers, I had a passionate concern on sustainable agricultural production. There is a growing concern in society about the continuing intensive usage of pesticides in farming and its effects on environmental and human health. Farmers have either failed to understand or ignored the fact that they lay down a barrage of poisons on the surface  of earth , contaminating the food  chains  and making it unfit for all life. As an agricultural extension educator and a practitioner, I am curious to understand farmers' decision-making on pesticide use to reduce environmental impacts. This has motivated me to identify what factors drive farmers in their decision-making process on pesticide use. I am also inquisitee on uncovering the alternative non-chemical pest management strategies farmers are opting to practice or currently practicing.

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