In brief
China and Sri Lanka launched a three‑day tropical fruit training in the Southern Province, focusing on banana, pineapple, and mango. The program, backed by the Hainan provincial foreign affairs office and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, builds on a prior South‑South cooperation project that raised yields by up to 70% and cut fertilizer use by 72%. Local officials and Chinese diplomats say the training will deepen agricultural ties and deliver sustainable benefits for Sri Lankan farmers.
A three‑day training course on tropical fruit seedling propagation and high‑efficiency production launched in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka on 10 November, with China’s Hainan provincial foreign affairs office and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences co‑organising the event.
During the session, agricultural technicians, researchers, students and local fruit farmers received lectures and field‑study opportunities that covered advanced cultivation techniques for banana, pineapple and mango.
At the launch, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wei Huaxiang said the training “will further expand exchanges and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka in the field of tropical agriculture, contribute Chinese solutions to the sustainable development of Sri Lanka’s agriculture, and bring more benefits to the people of Sri Lanka.”
Local agricultural official W.L.O. Manel added that the course “will mark the beginning of broader prospects for agricultural cooperation between the two countries in the future.”
China’s involvement in tropical fruit farming has a track record in Sri Lanka. From April 2023 to September 2025, Chinese experts participated in a China‑FAO Sri Lanka South‑South Cooperation Project. They introduced practices such as fruit bagging and precise drip irrigation to 10 demonstration sites across the island.
That project reported a 70 % boost in banana output and more than a 50 % increase in mango yield. It also reduced fertilizer use by 72 %, showing that more efficient input management can increase productivity while lowering environmental impact.
The training program aligns with Sri Lanka’s climate‑adaptation strategy, which seeks to expand climate‑resilient agriculture and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. By teaching farmers how to apply drip irrigation and protective fruit bags, the programme aims to cut water use by up to 30 % and limit disease impact without the need for additional pesticide application.
Attendees will also learn about seedling selection and soil‑health monitoring, key components for sustaining high yields under variable rainfall patterns caused by climate change. Early trials in the region have shown that improved seedling quality can raise yield by 15‑20 % and resilience to pests.
Beyond technical instruction, the training will create a knowledge‑exchange platform where Sri Lankan farmers can access Chinese research and incorporate local conditions into crop management plans. This approach is expected to foster long‑term sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint of tropical fruit production.
Overall, the three‑day course represents an extension of China‑Sri Lanka agricultural cooperation, with a clear focus on climate‑smart, resource‑efficient farming practices that benefit both farmers and the environment."}