Sri Lanka–Philippines Agricultural Cooperation in Focus as PM Visits IRRI Headquarters
During an official visit to the Philippines at the invitation of the Asian Development Bank, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya conducted an inspection tour of the headquarters of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños on Tuesday, underscoring the growing importance of scientific cooperation in safeguarding Sri Lanka’s agricultural future.
The visit to the globally renowned agricultural research centre formed part of a broader diplomatic and development-focused itinerary aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s engagement with regional institutions involved in food security and sustainable agriculture.
During the visit, the Prime Minister held discussions with IRRI Director General Yvonne Pinto, focusing on expanding collaboration between Sri Lanka and the institute in areas relating to paddy cultivation, agricultural innovation, and long-term sustainability of the country’s farming sector.
Officials said the talks centred particularly on the challenges currently faced by Sri Lankan rice farmers, including declining productivity, climate variability, and the urgent need to introduce modern agricultural technologies into traditional farming systems.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya highlighted that climate change has increasingly disrupted Sri Lanka’s rice-growing cycles, placing pressure on farmers who remain the backbone of the nation’s rural economy. She stressed that technological innovation and scientific research would be essential in addressing these structural vulnerabilities.
Discussions also explored the possibility of enhancing Sri Lanka’s access to advanced research and agricultural technologies developed by IRRI, particularly those aimed at improving rice yields and strengthening national food security.
Among the proposals examined was the introduction of climate-resilient rice varieties capable of withstanding droughts, floods, and changing weather patterns. IRRI officials indicated that the institute’s extensive global research network could support Sri Lanka in adopting such innovations.
The two sides also expressed interest in strengthening research partnerships between IRRI and Sri Lankan agricultural institutions. Expanding knowledge-sharing initiatives, building scientific capacity, and promoting collaborative research programmes were identified as key priorities for the future.
Government sources accompanying the Prime Minister said Sri Lanka was keen to draw upon IRRI’s decades of global research experience to modernise its agricultural sector while preserving the livelihoods of rural communities.
The Prime Minister emphasised that strengthening international partnerships in agricultural science would not only improve productivity but also enhance the resilience of Sri Lanka’s food systems in the face of climate uncertainty.
“Science-based agricultural innovation will play a decisive role in improving the livelihoods of our farming communities while ensuring long-term national food security,” she said during the meeting.
IRRI, headquartered in Los Baños in the Philippines, is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to rice research and sustainable agricultural development, with programmes supporting farmers across Asia and beyond.
The visit signals Sri Lanka’s renewed effort to align its agricultural policy with global scientific research at a time when food security and climate resilience have become pressing priorities across the region.