Formulation of a National Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D) Programme and Investment Plan

182,000USD

Sri Lanka, similar to many other developing countries, has placed high expectations on the use of biotechnology for increased food production for its increasing population. This is of tremendous importance as the population in the next 30 years is predicted to increase by an additional five million people. With the growing population, there is a need to increase food production, but the scope for cultivating more land is limited

The overall objective of the project is to facilitate the application of appropriate biotechnologies in Sri Lanka to improve agricultural production and consequently contribute to the enhancement of food security in the country

Objectives
Specific objectives of the project are to:

a) develop a national research and development (R&D) programme based on the assessment of present capacities, and on the needs and priorities of the country in the area of agricultural biotechnology research;
b) develop an investment plan for 2008-2014 for biotechnology R&D for presentation to potential funding agencies and/or the Government;
c) strengthen the human capacities in agricultural biotechnology R&D.

The expected outcomes are:
a) a national research and development (R&D) programme, including:
i) an assessment of the current status of biotechnology R&D in Sri Lanka (biotechnologies in use, agricultural species involved, human capacity, technology transfer, etc.);
ii) a document with national biotechnology research priorities for the future;
b) an investment plan for biotechnology R&D for 2008-2014;
c) human capacities in biotechnology R&D strengthened, including:
i) scientists trained in important biotechnology areas;
ii) biotechnology training needs for the future identified;
iii) an incentive scheme for scientists engaged in biotechnology research prepared