Indo Sri Lanka collaboration to strengthen Agriculture
India and Sri Lanka are currently working together to strengthen collaboration in the areas of agriculture and Animal Husbandry, with the active participation of Officials of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Sushil Kumar, First Secretary (Technical Cooperation) of the Indian High Commission recently visited the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) Cattle Farm in Polonnaruwa and the National Institute of Post Harvest Management (NIPHM), Anuradhapura. At the NLDB, a meeting was organised with the support of the Chairman Dr. M.P.S. Magamage. Dr. Sushil Kumar met A.p.sumanasiri, Deputy Chairman, NLDB, and A.M.P.A. Adikari, General Manager of the farm and discussed bilateral collaboration for the improvement of livestock to increase milk productivity.
Dr. Kumar also visited the National Institute of Post Harvest Management (NIPHM), Anuradhapura on 11 July 2020. A meeting with the Scientists and Engineers was organised with the support of Chairman of the NIPHM Prof. W.A.P. Weerakkody. The NIPHM focuses on research on processing of Paddy seeds, Sesame and post harvest processing of Mango, Banana and Papaya.
During the meeting both sides discussed cooperation in training/capacity building of Engineers/scientists of Sri Lanka working in the area of post harvest technology viz. grain storage systems, value addition technologies for tuber crops, Spice processing technologies etc. Eng. D.M.S.P. Bandara, Eng. Ruwanka and Eng. Bandara Dissanayake and many researchers were also present during the meeting.
A Work Plan for the years 2017-19 between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Sri Lanka Council of Agricultural
Research Policy (SLCARP) signed under the MOU on cooperation in the field of Agricultural Research and Education has been extended till December 2020. The Work Plan includes training / study visits / collaborative research projects etc in the areas of Agriculture machinery, Seed Technology, crop production improvement techniques, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Genetic Conservation and exchange of germplasms, Pest Control, Biotechnology, ICT for Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture etc. Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) capacity building Programme, Sri Lankan officials/ Scientists have participated in short-term training in the areas of Sustainable Agricultural Strategies for Rural Development and Fertilizer Quality Control.