SLAP initiates formation of a national association for protected agriculture

Panellists of the session consisting of agri input providers, agri service and equipment providers, financial institutions, and retail companies 

• Sri Lanka Agripreneurs’ Forum conducts free workshop for polytunnel growers 

Sri Lanka Agripreneurs’ Forum (SLAF) is the premier forum for agribusiness in Sri Lanka representing growers, farmer organisations, agri value-addition enterprises, agri professionals and academics, agri scientists, local and global marketers of agri produce, providers of agri inputs, and local agri investors. As a part of SLAF’s objectives in uplifting the status of the Sri Lankan farmer from the current subsistence level to being a key player contributing towards the country’s economy, SLAF has identified protected agriculture to be an area of focus.  

To better equip protected agriculture growers with knowledge on succeeding as an agripreneur, SLAF in collaboration with HNB, Unipower, and CIC recently held a workshop on protected agriculture at the HNB Towers, Colombo 10. The workshop saw a total attendance of over 100 industry representatives including growers, agri input providers, agri service and equipment providers, financial institutions, and retail companies served as a platform to provide growers with vital connections and solutions.

 The full-day workshop which was offered to participants free of charge along with refreshments consisted of three sessions. The opening session consisted of a speech on the role of SLAF to improve entrepreneurship in polytunnel growers by SLAF Chairman Rizvi Zaheed; a speech on the role of CIC in developing protected agriculture in Sri Lanka by CIC Agri Business Ltd. Managing Director Waruna Madawanarachchi; a presentation on the services offered by HNB for agribusinesses and how to access them by HNB Head of SME Products and Partnerships Dr. Niluka Amarasinghe; and a discussion on the way forward for polytunnel growers by Unipower Ltd. Managing Director Jayantha Rajapakse. 

The technical session which followed consisted of a presentation on tips for constructing and maintaining a polytunnel by Modern Agri Ltd., a presentation on selecting crops for polytunnel cultivation by CIC Seeds Ltd., a presentation on plant nutrient management for tunnel crops by Unipower Ltd., and a presentation on effective ways of controlling pests and diseases in polytunnels by Cropguard Ltd.  

The third session commences with a presentation by John Keells Holdings PLC on market-driven product planning. This was followed by a panel discussion and problem-solving session to dive deep into the core problems faced by the participants and provide solutions.

During this workshop, SLAF led the formation of a national association for protected agri entrepreneurs and identified a core team to drive this initiative. The proposed association is expected to bring about a vast array of benefits to the protected agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. 

SLAF Chairman Rizvi Zaheed said: “The original intention of SLAF was to connect the stakeholders of agriculture who were working in isolation. We are delighted to witness this intention being actioned and coming to fruition. It is only through collaborative efforts as such can Sri Lanka truly overcome its present crisis and step into a prosperous era of self-sufficiency. We invite all of you who are passionate about the sector to join hands with SLAF and come under our ever growing umbrella of individual, SME, corporate, and institutional members so that initiatives such as this can be replicated on a much larger scale across all demographics of Sri Lanka.” 

Enthusiastic agri entrepreneurs asking for solutions to their issues during the panel discussion

The audience of polytunnel growers from all corners of the country