Sept 28, Colombo: The Minister of Agriculture of Sri Lanka, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Mahinda Amaraweera says that since the responsibility of providing food to the people of the country has been assigned to the Department of Agriculture and the Ministry of Agriculture of Sri Lanka, there is a need to expand agricultural research that can achieve higher yields.

He noted that the Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka has been able to supply only 20 percent of the required quality seeds for cultivation and in order to increase the rice yield, that percentage needs to be increased further.

The Minister said the majority of farmers in the country are still cultivating the same paddy they get from their fields.

Therefore, there is a need to increase the research conducted by the Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka in relation to all crops including paddy, said the Minister of Agriculture addressing the 2022 Annual Agricultural Conference organized by the Department of Agriculture held in Gannoruwa recently.

This agricultural conference was held under the theme of “Seed the Land – Feed the Nation.”

The Minister of Agriculture also presented several awards such as new discoveries in the department’s research divisions, best new agronomist of the year, best agronomist, best research paper, distinguished agronomist of the year, best contribution to agriculture, etc.A large number of people including the Minister of State for Agriculture of Sri Lanka Mohan Silva, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of Sri Lanka Rohana Pushpakumara, Director General of Sri Lanka of Agriculture Dr. Ajantha de Silva participated in this event.

Speaking further Minister Amaraweera said: “We know that with the failure of the 2021 season, we are facing a major food crisis. The responsibility of providing food to the people of Sri Lanka is assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture. But with the current food crisis in the country, that responsibility has increased.”

“The Department of Agriculture is conducting research on crops that can yield higher yields. But I say that we should follow the example of countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Japan. We have many researchers who have vast knowledge in the field of agriculture. The country can benefit greatly from the knowledge of those scientists and researchers.”

“At the 2022 Annual Agricultural Conference, several of our researchers will be honored for their groundbreaking research. We as a country can be happy about the research work done by all of them.”

“Whenever you retire from this service, you will feel happy not by reminiscing about the positions you held or the wealth you earned. You can enjoy true happiness only by remembering your service to the country.

“We know that the names of the agronomists who introduced certain agricultural crops in our country that give high yields are still mentioned in our country. Their research has helped to quench the hunger of our people today.”

“Government servants who have done something with good intentions for the country will never retire from the hearts of the people. Therefore, I request all of you to dedicate yourself and work further for the people of Sri Lanka.” the Minister said.

The main guest lecture of this conference was delivered by Dr. Kazuo Ogataa of the Kyushu University, Japan.