GL emphasises pivotal importance of introducing new technologies to agriculture sector

Prof. Peiris and Ambassador Sugiyama at the opening of the new facility in Kilinochchi (pic courtesy Education Ministry)

Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (5) emphasised the pivotal importance of introducing new technologies to the agriculture sector as part of the overall measures to strengthen and expand rural economy.

Prof. Peiris said that the hardworking people of the north could immensely benefit from technological advances in the agricultural sector. The minister said so in Kilinochchi following the opening of a training and research complex provided by Japan at a cost of Rs 2.8 bn for the Agriculture Faculty of the Jaffna University located in Kilinochchi.

Prof. Peiris appreciated the role played by Japanese Ambassador Akira Sugiyama in bringing the project to a successful conclusion.

The Education Minister acknowledged that the serious issues remained with regard to marketing of agricultural produce and efficient methods were required to address these issues.

The Japanese embassy said that the new facility would provide good environment for research and training for improving the productivity of agriculture and livestock industry in the dry zone of the Northern Province.

Ambassador Sugiyama said that the development of the Northern Province was one of the priorities for the Government of Japan’s assistance toward Sri Lanka and that Japan strongly hoped that the new Research and Training Complex would not only empower students to become leading practitioners to apply their expertise in agriculture and livestock industry, but also help the Faculty produce excellent research which would open a new horizon for agriculture and livestock industry of Sri Lanka.