Empowering Sri Lankan farmers through technology
View(s):The event was graced by Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation – Dr. Susil Ranasinghe as well as Deputy Minister of Digital Economy – Eng. Eranga Weeraratne. Dr. Ranasinghe emphasised the importance of such initiatives in modernising Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, according to a media release issued by the organisers..
Dr. Susil Ranasinghe learning about Permia Sensing's (one of the GoviLab AgriTech start-ups) pest detection drone technology for coconut trees.
The GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator is a groundbreaking initiative implemented by Hatch Innovation – the country’s premier innovation and entrepreneurship hub in partnership with Sarvodaya – the leading development NGO with deep-ties to the grassroots agri-communities. It is part of the IDAT (Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation) project supported by The Gates Foundation.
Hatch CEO Mevan Peiris said: “Sri Lanka has the talent and potential to develop world-class Agri-Tech solutions. Together with all the relevant stakeholders we are attempting to revolutionise the agricultural sector. Our hope is that these solutions can scale nationally and empower smallholder farmers with tools to improve productivity and sustainability.”
The range of AgriTech innovations included Drones – for automating and optimising paddy and coconut cultivations, Sensors – for agricultural input and greenhouse management, localised seeding machines, small-scale cashew processing machines, Mobile and web-based platforms for farm management support, extension services, and market access.
Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne – President of Sarvodaya speaking at the event said: “Agriculture is not just an industry; it is a lifeline— that feeds nations, sustains economies, and nurtures generations. And in this fast-evolving world, we must ensure that our farmers are not left behind. By fostering innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship, we are not only strengthening our agricultural sector but also securing a sustainable and resilient future for all.”
The 10 start-ups presented technologies designed to transform farming practices across Sri Lanka. These solutions included:
- Drone Technology: ‘Ceylon Agro Food Technologies (CAFT)’ demonstrated their use of drone technology for fertiliser and pesticide spraying as well as seed transplanting for paddy, while ‘Permia Sensing’ demonstrated their use of drones pest detection (Red palm weevil) in coconut plantations.
- Dairy Chilling & Storage Devices: ‘Greenbrain’ demonstrated innovations to preserve milk quality and reduce spoilage overnight, enabling farmers to obtain higher milk yields.
- Cashew Processing Equipment: ‘Buddhi International Engineering (BIE)’ showcased their small-scale machinery for de-shelling, peeling, and dehydrating cashews, making cashew processing more accessible to smallholder farmers.
- Localised Seeder Machines: ‘Jayawardhana Engineering’ demonstrated their hand-held and tractor-attached seeders tailored for crops like cowpea and mung beans.
- Digital Agriculture Management Platforms: ‘AgroWorld’, ‘Engenuity AI’ and ‘WIDYA’ showcased farm management support, extension services, and market access through mobile and web-based platforms.
- Sensor Technology: ‘SenzAgro’ and ‘Govi.AI’ showcased their automation solutions for protected agriculture environments.
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