Agriculture Minister appreciates FAOUN

During the session.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera participated in the 19th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAOUN) on the use of genetic resources to promote food agriculture from July 17 to 21in Rome, Italy.

The session was held at the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Italy.

The Minister met Director General of UNFAO Dr. Qu Dongyu and discussed the present situation in the country’s agriculture sector.

The Minister appreciated the support provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to promote agriculture in Sri Lanka.

The Minister also said that in the economic crisis that Sri Lanka has been facing for several years now, the organisation has provided a lot of support in providing fertilizers, seeds as well as technical assistance and financial provisions to the farmers in the production of the food needed by the country.

The Minister also presented a project report to get the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for the development of rice varieties, which are essential for Sri Lanka’s food security and to increase the effectiveness of the rice production sector.

This Agriculture Project Report was prepared by the Department of Agriculture.

In addition, the Minister said that along with the promotion of youth entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka, a programme has also been started to encourage women to become agri-entrepreneurs.

Every time women have contributed to agribusiness projects, those projects have been successful. Women’s representation in Sri Lanka is optimal in achieving goals. Therefore, the Minister also mentioned that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is requested to support the programme of motivating women as agricultural entrepreneurs.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Italy Dr. Jagath Wellawatta was present.