9 - NSF Digital Library

July 1995, the Swedish government decided to merge all the five Swedish
aid agencies into one agency. SIDA that is familiar to you is written in
capital letters, but the new agency is also called Sida, with only the first
letter in capital. More importantly, it represents a completely different
agency. The earlier SIDA was the Swedish International Development
Authority, but the new agency created by merging all aid agencies is
referred to as the Swedish International Development Cooperation
Agency.
Most of you are aware that SAREC has supported the buffalo
research programme since 1982. In 1994, when I participated in a
discussion with the water buffalo research and advisory committee, it was
mentioned that dumg the 10 years of research, some 90 research projects
on different aspects of the water buffalo were approved. Apart from
creating a conducive research environment and establishing the necessary
inikastructure the project has trained a good number of researchers. There
has been 8 PhD and 17 MSc programmes completed and some 100
scientific papers published. Thus it was suggested that the programme
should now enter into a phase of dissetllination of information. The water
bufMo research committee thus proposed to SAREC that a final two year
grant be awarded to the programme with the main aim of (a) halising
the ongoing research projects, and (b) translating the results and
knowledge gained into practical recommendations and guidelines which
shall be transferred to implementing agencies and fanners through
workshops, publications and comprehensive programme reports. This
Symposium is a link in the chain of activities to achieve the aim, I just
mentioned. I hope the result of this programme can be implemented for
the development and prosperity of the Sri Lankan people. I would also
take this opportunity to congratulate the Water Buffalo Research Team,
NARESA, Mr. Asoka de Silva, the former Deputy Director General of
NARESA who was attached to this programme right from its inception,
my predecessor Carl Guvtsson Thormstorm and all those people who
have worked very hard to make this programme a success. As I am
aware that you have a tough schedule ahead of you, I would not like to
take more of your valuable time. I wish you all the best in your
Symposium and may God bless you.