National Workshop on Food Value Chain Development

April 6 – 7, 2016

IPS Auditorium

The IPS together with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and the support from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) conducted a National Workshop on Food Value Chain Development in Sri Lanka, with the aim of facilitating a dialogue on value chain developments in agro-food industries and to develop a Food Value Chain Development Plan for Primary Industries with four sub-sectors Development Programme.

Speaking at the event, IPS Executive Director, Dr. Saman Kelegama, pointed out that “most large agricultural enterprises do not wish to invest in Sri Lanka due to policy uncertainty” and reiterated IPS’s commitment to continue to engage in value chain research in several agricultural commodities as a national policy.

Minister of Primary industries Hon. Daya Gamage was the chief guest at the event. Among the dignitaries were the Secretary to the Ministry, Bandula Wickramarachchi, Dr. P.K Joshi and Dr. Suresh Babu of IFPRI and Consultant W.C Dheerasekera.

IPS Researchers, Athula Senaratne and Manoj Thibbotuwawa put forward innovative ideas on establishing Climate Innovation Centre (CIC) and National Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Policy (NIFSNP) for Sri Lanka while Janaka Wijayasiri, Chatura Rodrigo, Dilani Hirimuthugodage and Dushanthi Dayananda also shared their expertise at different sessions.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders and experts to discuss the development of most suitable value chains in a socially inclusive and pro-poor way that will improve the position of small enterprises and farmers and the working poor. Professionals from agriculture, fishery, livestock, trade, health and nutrition and finance backgrounds from various ministries, universities, private sector, NGOs and civil society engaged in a fruitful workshop with the aim of developing strategies for potential value chains that lead to the goal of sustainable development. IPS aims to continue with further initiatives that include research, consultation and dissemination activities in successful value chain development for the agro-food sector in collaboration with MPI and IFPRI.

For more pictures of the workshop visit us on Facebook.

Media Highlights

Daily Mirror, 8th April 2016 [ Article PDF Format 185 KB ]

The Island, 11th April 2016 [ Article PDF Format 558 KB ]

The Island, 17th April 2016 [ Article PDF Format 327 KB ]

Download Presentations

Agri-food Value Chains in Sri Lanka
Dilani Hirimuthugodage, IPS Research Officer

Supply Analysis of Major Food Categories in Sri Lanka
Dushanthi Dayananda, IPS Project Officer

National Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Policy (NIFSNP)
Manoj Thibbotuwawa, IPS Research Economist

Importance of Organic Food Value Chains in Sri Lanka – Organic Rice Value Chain
Chatura Rodrigo, IPS Research Economist

Importance of Agri-food Standards in Food Value Chains in Sri Lanka
Janaka Wijayasiri, IPS Research Fellow

Climate Innovation Centre to address Climate Change Issues
Athula Senaratne, IPS Research Fellow

Regulating Pesticide Use in Agriculture Produce
Rohan Rajapaksha, Professor, University of Ruhuna

Proposals for Development Plans of Food Industries
W. C. Dheerasekera, External Collaborator of IFPRI

Value Chain Development in the Animal Based Food Sector
Sam Daniel, Independent Consultant

Innovation driven Integrated Development Plan for Tree Crops-based Food Industries for Improving Food & Nutrition Security
Priyantha Wijewardena, Independent Consultant; Ilmi Hewajulige, Senior Deputy Director, ITI

Development of Tuberous Crops based food industry
C.S. Weeraratna, Independent Consultant

Proposal for Aquatic Plants-based Food Industry
W. C. Dheerasekera, External Collaborator of IFPRI