LOS BAŇOS, Laguna—Officials of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the government of Sri Lanka recently inked a comprehensive work plan to advance the said country’s rice self-sufficiency goals through joint research for development projects in the Philippines in the next five years.
IRRI’s Deputy Director General for Research Jacqueline Hughes and Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs Additional Secretary for Bilateral Affairs Sumith Nakandala were the signatories.
The signing, which was held at the IRRI Los Baños, Laguna, headquarters, was witnessed by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and IRRI Director General Matthew Morell, during the former’s visit to the premier rice research institution as part of his state visit to the Philippines.
The Sri Lanka-International Rice Research Institute’s five-year work plan will complement and help implement the new Sri Lanka National Plan for the Rice Sector.
The plan is guided by 10 priority themes serving as the framework of the joint collaborative research for development pipeline projects aimed to enhance the resilience and viability of Sri Lanka’s national rice sector.
“Improving the resilience and sustainability of Sri Lanka’s national rice economy through environmentally sustainable approaches is of utmost importance to address the complex challenges of population growth, agricultural production and climate change in Sri Lanka. We are honored to have Sri Lanka’s continued trust, and we remain committed to support their efforts to restore rice self-sufficiency and attain food security,” Morell said. In 2009 around 95 percent of Sri Lanka’s rice land had been planted with improved rice varieties.