• Includes hybrid rice varieties that can grow in saline conditions, dry-wet climate farmland preparation  



China is prepared to share advanced agricultural technology with Sri Lanka, including hybrid rice varieties that can be cultivated even under saline conditions, the Chinese Ambassador in Colombo Wei Huaxiang has said. He made the remarks during a meeting with the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister, K D Lal Kantha on Monday (14), where discussions focused on strengthening technological cooperation in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector. China has developed advanced hybrid rice varieties capable of growing in saline conditions, as well as technologies to prepare farmland to withstand both dry and wet climatic conditions. China is also ready to provide Sri Lanka with technology for greenhouse cultivation and smart farming. China has developed mobile-based systems that can monitor soil suitability, humidity and other environmental conditions, enabling farmers to manage cultivation more efficiently. China is willing to provide this technological assistance to Sri Lanka.  The meeting also focused on expanding cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, irrigation and livestock development. The importance of linking the services, industrial and agricultural sectors to achieve coordinated development was also emphasised.

The Ministry Secretary told Huaxiang that Sri Lanka is currently self-sufficient in rice and produces around 50 per cent of its domestic maize requirement. Most agricultural machinery required by Sri Lanka is imported from China. He expressed appreciation for technical training programmes provided by the Chinese Government for Sri Lankan farmers. Chinese companies have already contributed to major irrigation projects in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka expects further technical assistance from China for irrigation projects planned for the future.