Aug 25, Colombo: A preliminary discussion was held at the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday (24) regarding entering into a bilateral agreement for an agricultural technology exchange program between the governments of Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

The discussion was held with the participation of the Minister of Agriculture Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera and the Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka Ms. Ho Thi Thanh Truc and other high officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Mr. Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Director General of Agriculture Department Mrs. Malathi Parasuraman and additional secretaries also participated in the discussion.

While the use of new agricultural technology is widely practiced, especially for the agricultural sector in the country, in order to improve the agricultural output, the country’s farmers should continue to use new agricultural technology, the Minister of Agriculture said pointing out that Vietnam is now making extensive use of agricultural technology.

He noted that Vietnam has achieved high efficiency in agricultural research, new seeds that can yield higher yields, animal husbandry, and reduction of post-harvest losses.

The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera mentioned that the government is giving priority to further expanding the agricultural technology currently used in the country.

The Minister stated that it is extremely important to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding for the exchange of agricultural technology between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Sri Lanka. He also mentioned that the government has been able to create a wide awakening in all sectors under the current government by avoiding the difficulties that existed in the past.

The Vietnamese ambassador expressing her views said that Vietnam has introduced many varieties of rice that can produce the highest yield of rice in the Asian region, and that many countries in the world are following the new technology used in Vietnam’s agricultural sector.

She also stated that if Sri Lanka, like Vietnam, gives priority to the agriculture and fisheries sectors, it can face the food crisis well.

The Ambassador also stated that Vietnam has introduced a road map for the development of agriculture from 2021-25, which will enable many future goals to be achieved.

The Minister of Agriculture, speaking about the current dry weather said Sri Lanka had to face the current drought when it was close to self-sufficiency in rice and paddy production as well as many other additional crops.