March 12, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is seeking to strengthen international cooperation in rice research and sustainable farming, following discussions between Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya and the Director General of the International Rice Research Institute, Yvonne Pinto.
The bilateral meeting took place at the institute’s headquarters in Los Baños, where both sides explored ways to expand collaboration aimed at improving rice cultivation and supporting long-term agricultural sustainability in Sri Lanka.
Talks focused on the current state of paddy farming in the country and the difficulties faced by local farmers, including fluctuating yields, changing climate conditions and rising production costs. The discussions also highlighted the need for research-backed solutions that could help modernise cultivation practices while protecting the livelihoods of farming communities.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of improving productivity through better seed varieties, modern irrigation techniques and wider access to agricultural technology. She noted that strengthening the resilience of the rice sector is essential for maintaining food security in Sri Lanka.
Representatives from IRRI shared insights from their ongoing global research programmes, including work on climate-resilient rice strains, improved crop management methods and sustainable farming models designed to support farmers in developing countries.
Both parties expressed interest in expanding knowledge exchange, training opportunities and joint research initiatives in the future, with the aim of equipping Sri Lankan farmers with more advanced tools and scientific expertise to meet the growing challenges facing agriculture.