Innovation in Agriculture in not a novel concept to Sri Lanka. In fact I represent the area that witnessed the birth of our rich agricultural heritage at a time positioning Sri Lanka as the granary of eastern world with sophisticated technology for their time. However we should always adapt to the changing trends to survive within the competitive consumerism global markets in the contemporary context. Agriculture Sector Modernization Project is actually attempting to serve that purpose which is timely and a crucial need in the agricultural sector.

The significance of the program is that its addressing some of the key challenges such as increasing productivity, improving marketing opportunities, we are faced today, enhancing value addition, diversifying productions and promoting research and development aiming drastic innovations in agro-technology as well as end products. It is also planned that these are achieved without compromising the national priorities such as securing self-sufficiency and improving income generation and living standards of the farmers. I believe this modernizing project will bring more job opportunities for our farming communities that could shift from more labour intense employment to technology intense work.

The Agriculture Ministry has the highest confidence that our officials will make every effort to utilize the funds (US$ 58.63 million) provided by the World Bank, Economically to achieve the development objectives of Agriculture sector in rural areas of Sri Lanka
I wish the Project all success