The KOPIA organization meets with Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha.

Mr. Park Pyung-Sik, Director of KOPIA (Korea Program on International Agriculture) Sri Lanka Center, held a meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha at the Govijana Mandiraya of the Ministry of Agriculture on July 22, 2025.

The KOPIA (Korea Program on International Agriculture) center, operated by the Korean Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has several projects that have been initiated in Sri Lanka so far. Hybrid tomato seed production and hybrid chili seed production are the main components of these projects. KOPIA continues to establish and maintain such projects across 23 countries.

The KOPIA Director informed the Minister that although the projects established in Sri Lanka in the past period were successful, due to the rapid development and success of projects this year, they have decided to continue the projects for the next five years.

They intend to help develop chili crops through the development of tomato and chili hybrid seeds by providing necessary technical support and assistance to the Department of Agriculture. They plan to connect with the Palwehera Seed Institute, which is the government's seed production facility, and through this, construct poly tunnels (protected houses) to continue the project in selected special areas. It has already been identified that the best locations for establishing poly tunnels are in the Kotmale area. The Director informed the Minister that through this, they intend to cultivate chilies locally to meet the country's needs and develop it for export purposes.

What happens specifically in Korea are projects that are fundamentally connected to the development of farmers' lives through the establishment of farmers' companies. Through the creation of farmers' companies, farmers can rise up without government intervention. Particularly, the ultimate objective of this project is to economically strengthen farmers through the establishment of farmers' companies and to produce what is needed for consumption and export.

The Minister pointed out that everyone must work with dedication to utilize the time required for the projects and the officials from the department to make them successful. Several officials from the Department of Agriculture also participated on this occasion.