India to assist Lanka in developing agriculture

India would assist in capacity building in Sri Lankan agriculture by enhancing the scope of training programmes, scholarships, research projects and exchange of visits of farmers, said Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.

During his visit here last week Minister Pawar agreed that there would be collaborative research and development programmes in the field of bio-technology, hybrid seed development, post-harvest processing, livestock improvement and agricultural policy research. Greater role for the private sector was also envisaged.

The possibility of joint ventures and technical assistance in the field of seed development, agricultural machinery and agro-processing was also discussed. There has been ongoing cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in the field of agriculture.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Indian Council for Agricultural Research and Sri Lankan Council for Agricultural Research and Policy in 1998. The MoA is operationalised through Annual Work Programmes. Currently, the Third Annual Work Programme is in progress for 2006-2007.

It covers training programmes in fisheries, animal breeding, dairy, agro-processing, seeds, poultry and bio-technology. The work programme also includes 16 MSc and 21 PhD slot at Indian Agricultural Research Institutions. Both countries also exchange germ plasm, scientific literature and visits of consultants.