Serendib Horticulture ventures overseas

Serendib Horticulture Technologies Pvt. Ltd, one the leading companies in plant biotechnology launched its overseas ventures at the Ramada Hotel, Colombo yesterday.

Serendib Horticulture, subsequent to forming a company in Qatar, Serendib Horticulture Middle East WLL, has been now hired by the Qatar Environment Ministry as consultants for capacity building of their staff at the Biotechnology Centre in Doha and to develop protocols for varieties required by the Ministry.

"This I believe is the first time a private company has been hired as consultants to a foreign government in the field of agriculture in Sri lanka," said Company Chairman Dilip de Silva. "Its with a great deal of responsibility the Ministry in Qatar has given us this task and we are working hard to make this a success according to the wishes of the client," said De Silva.

De Silva further reiterated that the technical superiority the company has in this field of plant biotechnology has been recognized by foreign agencies.

This has paved the way for six agriculture diploma holders being recommended by the company to the Qatar Environment Ministry to be hired as Agriculture Technicians at very good salaries. "The six agriculture technicians were to be hired from Philippines, but we managed to convince the Ministry that Sri Lankans are equally good or better than Philippinos," said de Silva.

"This is only the beginning of possible long relationship we could have with the Biotechnology Centre in Qatar. It will all depend on how good we perform. With the experience and the commitment of our staff, I have no doubt that we will bring honour to our country," he said.

"The company has also ventured into Rwanda with an American company, FAIM AFRICA. The two companies will closely collaborate to develop agriculture in Rwanda, especially with fruits. Serendib Horticulture will develop planting material together with FAIM as per the requirement of Rwanda. This again is a challenge we have been entrusted and we will be working closely to make this project a success," he said.

"Finally, it is our passion to develop agriculture in the former war ravaged areas in the North and the East of Sri Lanka. We hope that the we will get the backing and the support of the government to uplift the living standards of our farmers," said de Silva.