Farmer exchange program

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara has initiated a farmer exchange program between Sri Lanka and Israel.

This agreement came about on the sidelines of the 'Agritech Israel 2009' agriculture exhibition held in Israel where Minister Nanayakkara participated.

The Minister said that even though Israel has limited land and faces a scarcity of water, it applies the most modern and economical strategies for agriculture which could be beneficial to Sri Lanka.

He said this type of practical training for young farmers would be very beneficial. Farmers should be made aware of the new technologies available to them which are used in Israel.

Minister Nanayakkara said the Israeli Agricultural Minister and the International Agency for Agriculture have promised to support this venture.

Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Israel W.M. Seneviratne, Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture Prof. H.P.M. Gunasena, Embassy official W.M.S. Bandara and Haim Devon, Chief of the International Agency for Development Cooperation also participated at the discussion on training opportunities and agricultural cooperation between the two countries.