Utilize science, technology to maximize productivity - Minister
Vitarana
M. P. Muttiah
Science and Technology Minister Professor Tissa Vitarana said poverty
in general, hunger in particular, and climate change were the main
challenges that face us today. Speaking at the Second Meeting of the
Ministers of Science and Technology of SAARC countries yesterday, the
Minister said that it was the responsibility to utilize science,
technology and innovation to reduce the levels of poverty in the region.
Minister Vitarana added that the rich natural resources,
bio-diversity and agricultural produce of the region provided an
opportunity to develop centres of excellence in advanced technologies
within SAARC countries if they were to establish the industries that
could provide quality goods at competitive prices to capture local and
global markets.
For SAARC countries to meet the challenges of the competitive global
markets, they should have centers of world class in several countries of
the region, he added. He further said science and technology should be
used to maximize productivity, especially of essential food items, in
the agricultural sector, minimize post-harvest losses and ensure that
food prices were affordable.
Professor Vitarana added that training of scientists upto
international standards and providing them with the necessary facilities
for research and development were also challenges of these countries.
Though SAARC countries had a large intelligent population the human
resources in the field of science and technology are grossly inadequate
for development needs. While North America has 4,600 scientists per
million people, Europe 2000, East Asia-Pacific 700, South Asia has only
120, he pointed out.
SAARC Secretariat Director Ghulam Dastgir underlined the importance
of science and technology of the region in the improvement of the
quality of life of the people. He pointed out the need to widen and
strengthen the co-operation among SAARC countries.
Minister Professor Tissa Vitarana was named as the Chairperson of the
meeting.
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