Empowering Sri Lankan farmers through technology

Regional Demo Day of the GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator concluded successfully on March 2, at the Farm Mechanization Training Centre in Anuradhapura. The event brought together over 3,000 participants, including farmers, government officials, private sector representatives, and members of the public, to witness the demonstrations of ten innovative Agri-Tech solutions developed by Sri Lankan Startups.

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 emphasized the importance of such initiatives in modernizing Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.

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.

Chief Executive Officer of Hatch – Mevan Peiris commented “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.”

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”.