Category: Agriculture
Sri Lanka Launches Landmark Digital Foundations for a Data-Driven Agriculture Sector
Sri Lanka today took a major step towards transforming its agriculture sector with the official launch of the Agriculture Enterprise Architecture Framework, Agriculture Interoperability Framework, Data Sharing Policies, and CROPIX, a national digital platform for crop data and decision-making. The high-level launch event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation and the […]
FAO Appeals for USD 16.5 Mn to Restore Livelihoods after Cyclone Ditwah Devastates SL’s Agrifood Sector
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome issued an appeal calling for international assistance of USD 16.5 million to support the early recovery of livelihoods and food security for farming, livestock-keeping and fishing communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. Cyclone Ditwah represents one of the most severe climate shocks the country has […]
Ditwah causes widespread devastation to agriculture, fisheries & rural livelihoods in SL: FAO
Cyclone Storm Ditwah made landfall on 27 November 2025 and lingered over the country for nearly three days, bringing exceptionally heavy rainfall that triggered severe flooding and numerous landslides, resulting in widespread devastation nationwide. As of 16 December 2025, official reports confirm that more than 2.2 million people have been affected, representing about 10 percent […]
MAP: Flood Impacts on Agriculture Across Sri Lanka
New data from the Department of Agriculture, compiled with FAO support, highlights the scale of flood impacts on agriculture across Sri Lanka. The maps show flood-affected areas of paddy, vegetables, and other field crops, with the most significant damage concentrated in several major agricultural districts. These impacts threaten livelihoods, food production, and household food security, […]
Small Investors For Polytunnel Agriculture in the Northern Province
By Jekhan Aruliah Nirojan comes from a family of farmers. Born in 1990, his parents farmed two acres of banana and chillies in Killinochchi. Like hundreds of thousands of others during the Sri Lankan Civil War they became IDPs (IDP, Internally Displaced Persons, refugees in their own country). Streams of people fleeing first from their […]
FAO & Ministry of Fisheries Launch SL’s First Digital Platform for Smart & Sustainable Shrimp Aquaculture
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources and the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), launched the Shrimp Industry Information System (SIIS) – Sri Lanka’s first-ever integrated digital platform for the aquaculture sector. Developed under the FAO-led project “Smart and Sustainable Aquaculture […]
Canadian Agricultural Mission to Strengthen Ties with Sri Lanka
The High Commission of Canada in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in collaboration with The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the visit of a Canadian Agricultural Mission to Sri Lanka from October 27–31, 2025. The five-day mission aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, agri-food, and agri-tech. Focusing on agricultural policy, productivity, […]
Sri Lanka Launches Banana Tissue Culture Laboratory to Boost Fruit Value Chain Development
The North Central Provincial Department of Agriculture inaugurated a state-of-the-art Banana Tissue Culture Planting Material Production Laboratory at the In-Service Training Institute in Maha Illuppallama, North Central Province, with technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the South-South Cooperation (SSC) Programme with the People’s Republic of China. The […]
Sri Lanka’s Plantation sector sounds alarm over 30% U.S. tariff
The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) has expressed grave concern over the United States’ decision to impose a 30% tariff on Sri Lankan tea and rubber exports, set to take effect from August 1st. The Association warns that this move could devastate two of Sri Lanka’s most historic and employment-intensive sectors, tea and rubber undermining […]
Pelwatte Dairy Launches First-Ever Pension Scheme for Sri Lankan Dairy Farmers
In a historic move that redefines rural financial security, Pelwatte Dairy Industries has announced the launch of Sri Lanka’s first pension scheme for dairy farmers, reinforcing its commitment to both national self-sufficiency and the welfare of the farming community. Pelwatte Dairy, one of Sri Lanka’s foremost homegrown dairy brands, has long been a pillar in […]
Seafoods, Seacucumber, and Seizing Opportunity in Jaffna
By Jekhan Aruliah Mr Ganendran is from Navaly, near Manipay Jaffna. Born in 1975 to a Christian Catholic family, Ganendran had his schooling from Grade 3 to A’Levels at St Patrick’s College. St Patrick’s is one of the leading Jaffna schools, not far from Jaffna Fort. In the midst of the Sri Lankan Civil War, […]
Bridging Farms and Markets to Strengthen Smallholder Farmer Resilience
As part of an ongoing collaborative initiative to empower smallholder farmers, representatives from Hirdaramani Apparel, Lacoste Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, recently conducted a site visit to the ‘Smallholder Farmer Resilience through Innovative Financing Project’ in Vengala Chettikulum and Vavuniya South Divisional Secretariat divisions. Mr. Mathieu Brousse, Vice President […]