Investors form China expressed interest in expanding investments in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, according to Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera. A special discussion headed by Minister Mahinda Amaraweera was held at the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday (10) with a delegation of the Agility Group in Guangdong province of China on exploring expansion of investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.
In particular, the preservation of fruits, vegetables and other products produced by farmers in Sri Lanka, prevention of post-harvest wastage, Provision of cold storage facilities using modern technology for preserving vegetables and fruits, production of small and medium size agricultural machineries and creating opportunities for the production of organic fertilizers were discussed at the meeting.
The Chinese delegation agreed to focus their attention on these matters and expand investment opportunities in the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said considering the importance of the suggestions of the group to the country, steps will be taken to implement the recommendations made by them.
Speaking further, Minister said there is a high demand in the local market for organically grown rice. This is because traditional rice varieties of the country are cultivated in organic farming and there is a belief that consuming the traditionally grown rice could help prevent certain non-infectious diseases such as diabetes and cancer, which is currently a growing problem.
The Minister further said the local fruits are high in nutrition and his attention has been focused on pushing the people to consume local fruits as well as on making opportunities in the international market for the local fruits.Minister Amaraweera said the objective of the government is to inculcate farmers in the country to cultivate agricultural commodities targeting to increase export earnings as well as to provide for local consumption and he hopes to obtain the support of countries with high technology such as China for the agriculture sector.
