China is prepared to share advanced agricultural technology with Sri Lanka, including hybrid rice varieties that can be cultivated even under saline conditions, Chinese Ambassador in Colombo Wei Huaxiang has said.

The Ambassador made the remarks during a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, K.D. Lal Kantha today (14), where discussions focused on strengthening technological cooperation in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.

Ambassador Wei said China has developed advanced hybrid rice varieties capable of growing in saline conditions, as well as technologies to prepare farmland to withstand both dry and wet climatic conditions.

China is also ready to provide Sri Lanka with technology for greenhouse cultivation and smart farming, he said.

According to the Ambassador, China has developed mobile-based systems that can monitor soil suitability, humidity and other environmental conditions, enabling farmers to manage cultivation more efficiently. China is willing to provide this technological assistance to Sri Lanka, he added.

The meeting also focused on expanding cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, irrigation and livestock development.

The importance of linking the services, industrial and agricultural sectors to achieve coordinated development was also emphasized, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Secretary to the Ministry told the Chinese Ambassador that Sri Lanka is currently self-sufficient in rice and produces around 50% of its domestic maize requirement.

He also said most agricultural machinery required by Sri Lanka is imported from China and expressed appreciation for technical training programmes provided by the Chinese government for Sri Lankan farmers.

Chinese companies have already contributed to major irrigation projects in Sri Lanka, the Secretary said, adding that Sri Lanka expects further technical assistance from China for irrigation projects planned for the future.