Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector is set for a significant improvement with CIC Seeds (Pvt) Ltd., a subsidiary of CIC Agribusiness, achieving a major breakthrough. For the first time in the country, a private company has successfully developed and launched five new varieties of hybrid vegetable seeds. This accomplishment is the result of intensive research conducted in collaboration with an American company at CIC Seeds’ farm in Pelwehera, Dambulla.
Driven by the desire to enhance local agricultural productivity and reduce reliance on imported seeds, CIC Agribusiness invested over Rs. 250 million in this three-year project. Previously, Sri Lanka depended almost entirely on imported hybrid vegetable seeds, spending a staggering USD 25 million annually.
“The Sri Lankan seed industry lags behind,” acknowledged Waruna Madawanarachchi, Managing Director of CIC Agri Cluster. “The government recognized the need for private sector involvement to address the growing demand for quality seeds faced by farmers, and offered incentives to bridge this gap.”
CIC Seeds stepped up to this challenge, becoming the first private entity to invest in local seed production with the valuable technical collaboration of the Department of Agriculture (DOA). The initial launch will see five new hybrid vegetable varieties introduced to the local market, including two from Chile and one each from Okra, Capsicum, and Brinjal. These seeds, currently being cultivated at CIC’s Dambulla R&D complex, have the potential to significantly increase yields. With formal government approval underway, CIC Seeds also has its sights set on future exports.
This breakthrough extends beyond vegetables. Recognizing the rapid advancements in global seed technology, CIC has secured the production rights (IP rights) of a promising corn hybrid from a Thai seed company. Large-scale field testing is underway, paving the way for imminent commercial seed production. CIC Seeds’ commitment extends to making these hybrid seeds affordable for local farmers through continued investment in domestic seed production.
The significance of this achievement is underscored by Wasantha Chithral, Senior Research Consultant. He highlights the irony of Sri Lanka once offering seed technology to modernize Bangladesh’s agriculture. While Sri Lanka’s seed industry stagnated, Bangladesh thrived, becoming a current source of hybrid seeds for Sri Lanka.
Looking ahead, CIC Seeds’ innovation goes beyond vegetable and corn seeds. Their high-yielding maize holds the potential to reduce animal feed prices, ultimately leading to lower poultry product costs. Additionally, the used maize plants themselves can be used as animal feed, maximizing resource utilization. This development promises a ripple effect, boosting agricultural productivity, reducing import dependence, and potentially lowering food prices for Sri Lankan consumers.