IPS Hosts Final Review Workshop on Food Loss Reduction in Mango and Tomato Value Chains in Sri Lanka and Pakistan

24-25 March 2026

Marking the successful completion of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project on “Developing Food Loss Reduction Pathways through Smart Business Practices in Mango and Tomato Value Chains in Pakistan and Sri Lanka,” the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) hosted the final review workshop on 24 and 25 March 2026. The programme brought together project partners and collaborators from IPS, the University of Peradeniya (UOP), the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), and Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (WUSL), while partners from Pakistan, India, and Australia joined the sessions online.

“Food loss is not only a post-harvest problem but a value chain issue that is influenced by production systems, market systems, standards, and information systems, among other factors,” explained Dr Manoj Thibbotuwawa, IPS Research Fellow and Head of Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Policy Research, during his presentation on key project findings. “The interventions initiated under this project are expected to generate lasting benefits for smallholder farmers in the years ahead.”

The Chief Guest at the event, His Excellency Matthew Duckworth, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, officially launched a mobile application that enables project beneficiary farmers to access markets more effectively. The Vice Chancellor of the Open University, Professor P. M. C. Thilakarathne, who attended the event as the Guest of Honour, commended the ACIAR project team on this timely initiative.

The workshop provided a valuable platform to reflect on the project’s achievements, share key findings from Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and discuss lessons learnt and future directions for reducing food loss in mango and tomato value chains. It brought together diverse stakeholders, including representatives from government institutions, academia, civil society, and other key sectors involved in mango and tomato value chains.