The Regional Demo Day of the GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator, held on 2 March at the Farm Mechanisation Training Centre in Anuradhapura, marked a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s agricultural journey. Over 3,000 participants, including farmers, government officials, private sector representatives, and members of the public, gathered to witness the unveiling of 10 innovative AgriTech solutions developed by Sri Lankan startups. The event was honoured by the presence of Land and Irrigation Deputy Minister Dr. Susil Ranasinghe and Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, underscoring the government’s commitment to modernising the agriculture sector.
The GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator, a pioneering initiative by Hatch Innovation and Sarvodaya, is part of the IDAT project supported by The Gates Foundation. This collaboration aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector, ultimately empowering smallholder farmers with tools to enhance productivity and sustainability.
Hatch Innovation CEO Mevan Peiris highlighted Sri Lanka’s potential to develop world-class AgriTech solutions. He emphasised the collective effort of stakeholders to revolutionise the agricultural sector, hoping that these innovations will scale nationally and benefit farmers across the country. The range of AgriTech innovations showcased at the event was impressive, including drones for automating and optimising paddy and coconut cultivations, sensors for agricultural input and greenhouse management, localised seeding machines, small-scale cashew processing machines, and mobile and web-based platforms for farm management support, extension services, and market access.
Sarvodaya President Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne echoed the importance of digital transformation in agriculture, stating that fostering innovation and entrepreneurship is crucial for securing a sustainable and resilient future. The event featured live demonstrations, interactive knowledge-sharing sessions, and onboarding of farmers to integrate these technologies into their daily operations. Farmers expressed enthusiasm about the potential of these technologies to improve productivity, reduce costs, and mitigate post-harvest losses.
The Demo Day also highlighted the importance of partnerships between startups, government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and farming communities. Many representatives from the public sector involved in agriculture were present, indicating a strong alignment between these solutions and national agricultural policies and extension services.
The 10 startups presented technologies designed to transform farming practices across Sri Lanka. Ceylon Agro Food Technologies (CAFT) and Permia Sensing demonstrated drone technology for fertiliser and pesticide spraying, seed transplanting, and pest detection. Greenbrain showcased dairy chilling and storage devices to preserve milk quality. Buddhi International Engineering (BIE) presented small-scale machinery for cashew processing, making it more accessible to smallholder farmers. Jayawardhana Engineering demonstrated localised seeder machines tailored for crops like cowpea and mung beans. AgroWorld, Engenuity AI, and WIDYA showcased digital agriculture management platforms for farm management support, extension services, and market access. SenzAgro and Govi.AI presented sensor technology for protected agriculture environments.
The impact of the GoviLab initiative was evident in the testimonials from the startups. B.K. Maheepala of BIE highlighted the support received in engaging external stakeholders, funding production, and branding and marketing their machines. The Founder of Jayawardhana Engineering shared how the project’s support significantly reduced production costs, making their seeders more accessible to smallholder farmers. The Demo Day not only showcased innovative technologies but also underscored the collaborative effort required to drive agricultural transformation in Sri Lanka. As attendees left inspired, it was clear that this event was a beacon of hope for a brighter future in Sri Lankan agriculture.
