Serendib Horticulture Technologies embarks on Qatar project

Indunil HEWAGE

Serendib Horticulture Technologies Pvt Ltd, a leading company in plant biotechnology in Sri Lanka has embarked on a new project to conserve the rapidly diminishing germplasm (germ cell determining zone) in the dessert of Qatar .

Serendib Horticulture Technologies Pvt Ltd Chairman Dilip de Silva said, “It is a challenge to us to work on areas of research that are alienated from research in Sri Lanka. The outcome of the work that is now being carried out will certainly benefit the state of Qatar in conserving their germplasm.”

When asked about the time frame to complete the research work, de Silva said that it will take probably an year or more to come out with positive results and the company is now in the process of implementing some new techniques to produce varieties required by Qatar.

“The company has also been invited by other institutes in the Middle East for collaborations in biotechnology. We are careful in putting our hand into everything. We select the areas where our strengths are and then focus on doing a quality job,” he said.

Serendib Horticulture will be conducting a two day work shop on commercial tissue culture principals and applications on April 29 and 30 in Doha and Serendib has been invited by the Environment Ministry of Qatar . This will be conducted by the staff of Serendib and consultants. The workshop will be for the benefit of the staff of the biotechnology centre, Doha University and research institutes in Qatar as well as other dignitaries from the ministries. Qatar which is rapidly progressing in the field of horticulture and biotechnology has partnered with Serendib Horticulture to achieve their objectives and the company will impart its knowledge gained over many years in this field for the betterment of the industry in Qatar.