This has created a new demand for better varieties, improved technologies on production, harvesting and processing. In this cirecumstances the demand for quality planting material will automatically increase. Development of scientific and technological base that will permit exploitation of a available resources to improve this sector is essential. This clearlyshows that the fruit production in Sri Lanka will confront tremendous challenge over the comingyears. Considering the economic benefits that this sector can bring to the national economy the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Cooperative Development establishmed a separate research centre for research and development of fruit crops. The immediate challenge that the centre facing is to explot all available information and prepare a strategic plan for the future. The nature of future technological development and the task of assuring access to knowledge and technological advances are critical issues the centre will have to address. In developing technology and introducting them to farmers due considerations will have to be given to economic environmental and sociological consequences that this new sector can impose on existing production systems. In order for better economic performance good market mechnisms will have to be established and linkages between economic performance good market mechanisms will have to be established and linkages between producers and processors will have to be strengthened.

 

This has created a new demand for better varieties, improved technologies on production, harvesting and processing. In this cirecumstances the demand for quality planting material will automatically increase. Development of scientific and technological base that will permit exploitation of a available resources to improve this sector is essential. This clearlyshows that the fruit production in Sri Lanka will confront tremendous challenge over the comingyears. Considering the economic benefits that this sector can bring to the national economy the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Cooperative Development establishmed a separate research centre for research and development of fruit crops. The immediate challenge that the centre facing is to explot all available information and prepare a strategic plan for the future. The nature of future technological development and the task of assuring access to knowledge and technological advances are critical issues the centre will have to address. In developing technology and introducting them to farmers due considerations will have to be given to economic environmental and sociological consequences that this new sector can impose on existing production systems. In order for better economic performance good market mechnisms will have to be established and linkages between economic performance good market mechanisms will have to be established and linkages between producers and processors will have to be strengthened.