Sri Lanka, Qatar explore expanded cooperation in agri-tech and food production
Sri Lanka and Qatar have explored opportunities to expand cooperation in agricultural technology, climate-resilient farming and sustainable food production, including through further investment and technology transfer.
The discussions took place during Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra’s official visit to Qatar, where he visited Argrico, a company engaged in technology-driven agriculture and food production under challenging desert conditions.
During the visit, the Deputy Minister observed how modern technology and scientific methods are being used for agricultural production despite extreme heat, limited freshwater resources and restricted availability of arable land.
The facility incorporates several modern agricultural systems, including hydroponics, vertical farming, vegetable cultivation, aquaculture, mushroom production and mangrove-related cultivation.
These controlled-environment systems are designed to enable year-round production while making efficient use of limited land and water resources and contributing to food security.
Hemachandra also noted that coco peat sourced from Sri Lanka is being used in Argrico’s cultivation systems, providing an existing link between Sri Lankan agricultural products and Qatar’s expanding agri-technology sector.
Discussions focused on potential cooperation in controlled-environment agriculture, climate-resilient farming, efficient utilisation of water and land, and sustainable food production.
Attention was also given to cold-chain management, post-harvest technology, storage and logistics, particularly measures aimed at reducing food losses, maintaining product quality and strengthening food supply chains.
Argrico has already made investments in Sri Lanka, while the discussions explored possibilities for expanding its engagement through additional foreign direct investment, technology transfer, research collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Hemachandra highlighted Sri Lanka’s natural advantages in agriculture and the potential to combine them with modern technology, climate-resilient farming methods and efficient supply-chain systems to increase productivity and strengthen food security.
He also highlighted the potential for such cooperation to create further opportunities for Sri Lanka’s export-oriented agricultural sector.
The visit focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–Qatar cooperation in agriculture and agri-technology through investment, innovation, sustainable production and knowledge sharing. (Newswire)
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