1. Agricultural Biotechnology in Sri Lanka
Kumudu Fernando
Seed Certification and plant protection Centre, Department of Agriculture

2. Tissue Culture Micropropagation -1.Mass production 2.Virus elimination
Embryo Rescue
Anther culture
Secondary metabolite production
Protoplast culture
In vitro conservation

3. Applications Mass production potato Seed potato production D.O.A.
Orchids
Anthurium
Gerbera D.O.A.
Ornamentals University
Pineapple Private
Strawberry sector
Medicinal plants

4. Virus elimination Micrografting (citrus)
Meristem culture
Potato
Banana
In vitro conservation Root & Tuber crops D.O.A.

5. Although tissue culture has been carried out since the mid-seventies, the benefits to the farmer have not been satisfactory

6. Issues
Need for a central laboratory for technology development and dissemination
Need for collaboration among institutions preventing duplications and enhancing complementation.
Need for extension programmes to ensure the delivery of products to farmers.
Need for increased farmer participation

7. Increased attention should be given to:
Biopesticides
Biofertilizer
Product development through biotechnology
Sufficient attention has not been given to the above although they are important for Sri Lanka and although the techniques involved are relatively simple

8. Modern agricultural Biotechnology
Applications
MAS – markers for pest and disease resistance in crops e.g. GM, BPH, BLB
thrip resistance in rice- D.O.A
resistance against bacterial wilt in tomato

9. Issues Need for national & international collaboration
Training- long term & short term
Expert visits
Need for financial support for R&D
Need for continued supply of chemicals
Need for knowledge/experience in bioinformatics

10. rDNA technology
The following should be considered prior to embarking on rDNA technology
Need to evaluate broader impact on on-going agriculture.
Impact on economy- cost effectiveness
Who are the beneficiaries
Appropriateness of the technology for the target group
Impact on biodiversity and environment
IPR protection
Biosafety

11. Issues Government support for R&D Need to identify the institutions
Need for collaboration and establishment of partnerships
Need to identify the modes of collaboration
Need for capacity building
International support on specific technological problems as Sri Lanka is far behind in DNA technology
Biosafety mechanisms in place
Information sharing and public awareness

12. Molecular diagnostics
Identification of plant quarantine pests & diseases
Pest detection for plant protection
Testing of GM crops

13. Molecular characterization of crop germplasm and their wild relatives
Markers (biochemical and molecular) for seed certification
Varietal protection
Identification of desirable genes
Data base development

14. Thank you!