The Agriculture Ministry has prioritised producing seed varieties that are identical to the country amidst concerns of a future seed shortage, while also seeking the feasibility of producing more hybrid varieties at a time when the country lacks the technology to produce them.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy Agriculture Minister Namal Karunarathne said that centering around the Peradeniya and Gannoruwa research institutes mainly, a programme was started focusing on seed production for the country. "We are introducing identical seed varieties mainly, while producing seeds. For instance, recently, we have introduced a special 'chillie' variety that has become a success already. We are identifying the seed varieties with better production and promoting them." He also accepted that hybrid seed varieties are mainly bought from the foreign market, noting that there are producers of those varieties and that we cannot arbitrarily grow them in our country without a proper programme.

Yet, he added that within the country, research centres like those in Bathalegoda are doing experiments on hybrid varieties with a higher yield and higher nutritious values, and hence the issue of seed production will be sorted out soon.

The comments from him come in light of the President of the National Agrarian Unity organisation, Anuradha Tennakoon having warned that Sri Lanka is at risk of a serious seed shortage in the future due to the heavy reliance on imports and global political instability. He had said that 92 per cent of the seed necessity is being imported even though there are 18 institutes that produce seeds in the country.