The Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Ghana meets with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. K. D. Lal Kantha.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Ghana met with Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha, today (21st) at the Ministry of Agriculture. Prior to this diplomatic meeting, Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and accompanying delegation took part in an observational visit to the Bathalagoda Rice Research Institute and the Department of Agriculture. During the visit, they expressed satisfaction regarding agricultural technology of Sri Lanka.
Ghana’s rice production remains at a very minimal level, amounting to only about 5%. The remaining 95% is imported from other countries. Since they lack proper technical knowledge, their agricultural industry remains at a low level. Although Ghana is four times larger than Sri Lanka, it does not have an irrigation system.
By visiting our country, they hope to gain some understanding of Sri Lanka’s agricultural technology and to obtain our technical assistance. Ghana hopes to obtain training relating to agricultural technology through our universities.
Among Ghana’s main sources of income are industries such as gold, diamonds, iron and aluminum. Although high income sources exist, they have been unable to achieve development in the agricultural sector due to minimal technical knowledge.
The Minister mentioned that our objective is to increase yields. What operates in our country is economic democracy. The Minister further stated that Sri Lanka is ready to provide the technical knowledge required for agriculture in the manner Ghana expects.
A group of officials, including Mr. D.P. Wickremasinghe, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, also joined this occasion.
