Develop modern technology to overcome challenges – Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana
Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, speaking at the opening of the Applied Microbial Research, Development and Training Laboratory built in the Homagama Panagoda area, said, “We should also be a source of strength to entrepreneurs endeavouring to modernise the country. If we do not change accordingly in this changing world, we as a country, will not be able to make the correct decisions for the future generations.”
Sara Bhumi Lanka Bio Products Pvt. Ltd. built this new research centre equipped with state-of-the-art technical facilities to conduct research pertaining to the organic agriculture industry.
He further said that, “Challenges that arise in the world of technology can be overcome by being innovative through thinking out of the box. I believe that our human resources are the most underutilised and untapped resources in our country, while the education system in the country is also the reason for this.
As a result of not creating a generation of children with career-oriented skills and abilities, while countries such as Singapore, China and India are passing us by, our country has become a nation unable to pay even the loans taken.
Fifty one percent of graduates in the country are Arts graduates. There are no jobs in the country for them. There are not enough educated people for the available jobs. I introduced Technology as a subject to the higher level, as a solution. In the beginning, many people were against it, but now thousands of children are benefiting from it.
By imparting technical knowledge on agriculture and its innovations, to the present generation, there is an opportunity to transform them into agri-entrepreneurs.
It is in the national interest to produce food and beverages required by the country, with high productivity, and to increase agricultural exports to cater to the world food demand, and earn foreign exchange.”
Currently, the agricultural technology used in our country is outdated. At present, artificial intelligence is widely used in agriculture. In this way, I offer my respect to all those who have contributed to starting a project to move towards it, by using more and more modern technology and innovations.”
Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of State for Livestock Development D.B. Herath, MP Dilip Vedaarachchi, Sara Bhumi Lanka Bio Products Pvt. Ltd Managing Director Charminda Abeygunasekara, academics from institutions related to the agriculture sector, were present for this event.
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