Asian countries should strengthen cooperation in promoting agricultural development as they have special advantages in its topographic distribution and natural resources for developing agricultural industry, a Sri Lankan official said in Beijing Sunday.

Asian countries should expand the international market for their agricultural products, lower down the production cost and preserve natural resources for sustainable development, said Anura Dissanayake, minister of agriculture, livestock, land and irrigation.

To this end, Asian countries should increase exchanges of experience in agricultural technology and management, he said in an interview with Xinhua.

Dissanayake said China has more advanced agricultural technology, and the Chinese government plays a good role in setting up a linkage between farmers and the market. China's experience deserve learning.

According to Dissanayake, the agricultural departments of Sri Lanka and China have reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation in such fields as agricultural technology, management, investment and personnel exchanges, as well as developments in animal husbandry and fishery industries.

Dissanayake is in China attending the 27th Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization on May 17-21 and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Workshop for Agricultural Ministers on May 22-23. Source: Xinhua

Source: Xinhua