MoU for multilateral agricultural cooperation:

Lanka, Korea ink deal

Ishara Mudugamuwa

A Memorandum of Understanding for a multilateral agricultural cooperation initiative called Asian Food and Agriculture was signed between the Agriculture Ministry, and the Rural Development Administration in Korea, Colombo yesterday.

The MoU was signed by Agriculture Ministry secretary K.E. Karunathilake and Rural Development Administration of Korea Planning and Communication director general Jaeam Lim.

The MoU covers technology development cooperation for food security and agricultural product and food, technology development cooperation for sustainable agricultural environment and resource conservation and utilization and capacity building and technology transfer for the development of the agriculture and food industry, Karunathilake said.

The Agriculture Department is implementing three agricultural development projects under the work plan of the MoU.

The Rural Development Administration of Korea has taken measures to establish a Korean Project for International Agriculture (COPIA) Centre in Sri Lanka to work closely with scientists for technology generation and dissemination.

Under the MoU both countries have agreed to conduct agricultural research and development projects, training activities for agriculture researchers, extension officers and farmers, research and development activities of Korean experts and scientists, exchange research material, publications and technical information and other activities.

Agriculture Ministry Additional Secretary Shantha Emitiyagoda and Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka participated.