Dr. Dilshan Benaragama is an Assistant Professor in Plant Science at the University of Manitoba and the Crop Protection Chair in weed management, where he leads a five-year research program funded by producer groups across Western Canada. His work advances integrated weed management and cropping-systems research in both organic and conventional agriculture, with applications spanning temperate and tropical production contexts.
Dr. Benaragama began his academic journey in Sri Lanka, earning a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Peradeniya, and moved to Canada in 2008 for graduate studies. He completed an MSc and PhD in Agronomy and Weed Ecology at the University of Saskatchewan, focusing on weed dynamics under diverse cropping systems and the ecological processes that shape crop–weed interactions.
Aa an accomplished scholar and collaborator, he has authored more than 15 peer-reviewed publications and engages closely with producers and industry to translate science into practice. His current program integrates remote sensing and artificial intelligence with field experimentation to develop timely, data-driven tools for weed monitoring, risk assessment, and decision support. Dr. Benaragama aims to reduce herbicide reliance, strengthen crop competitiveness, and enhance the sustainability and profitability of prairie farming systems.
