The Netherlands has offered Sri Lanka a newly developed variety of potato seeds that can grow in salty lands, to start potato cultivations in areas close to sea, especially in the north and east in the country, the prime Minister office said.

This was revealed by Netherlands Ambassador in Colombo Bonnie Horbach during a meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees, Colombo.

She said that the Netherland scientists have developed a new variety of potato that can grow in salty lands as most areas of her country is closer to sea and the land consist of saline water and that potato seeds could be provided to Sri Lanka to start potato cultivations in areas close to sea, especially in the north and east, the statement said.

The Prime Minister thanked the Netherlands for the assistance provided to infrastructure development and agriculture and various other sectors and urged for technical knowhow and more investments in agriculture, information technology, renewable energy, transport and tourism.

 She also said Sri Lanka has vast potential in many areas including information technology, tourism and agriculture and she was confident that her country would undertake more projects once the global economic situation get over the current difficult phase.

The Prime Minister explained the ‘grow food’ programmes undertaken by the government at 14,000 Grama Sevaka divisions and said that in addition to the Maha season of paddy, cultivation of  many other crops in hitherto uncultivated lands is likely to provide a good yield by the first quarter of next year.

Ambassador Horbach said her country has advanced in innovative agro technology and the Netherlands expertise could be provided to Sri Lanka. She said that the Netherland scientists have developed a new variety of potato that can grow in salty lands as most areas of her country is closer to sea and the land consist of saline water and that potato seeds could be provided to Sri Lanka to start potato cultivations in areas close to sea, especially in the north and east.

They also discussed other areas for collaboration, including climate change, trade and commerce, ports development and joint projects.