The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and Hatton National Bank (HNB) have launched a nationwide innovation challenge for university students to develop solutions to challenges facing the country’s agrifood sector.
The World Food Day 2026 Youth Innovation Challenge was launched in Colombo on Wednesday (19) under the theme “Innovate Today – Nourish Tomorrow” and will bring together multidisciplinary teams from state and private universities and higher education institutes.
The competition will focus on challenges in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, environmental protection, climate resilience, food security and nutrition.
FAO said Sri Lanka’s agrifood sector continues to face issues including post-harvest losses, climate-related stresses, inefficient water use, pest and disease threats, weak market linkages, fisheries spoilage and losses of fishing gear.
The challenge will begin with a nationwide call for concept notes. About 25 teams will be selected for an online pitching round, with the top 10 teams advancing to the prototype development stage with mentorship from technical experts and industry partners.
The final teams will present their prototypes at the national World Food Day 2026 celebrations. The top five teams will pitch their innovations to a panel of judges and potential investors, while the top three teams will receive cash awards.
The initiative is being supported by the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation; Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources; Environment; Health and Mass Media; and Science and Technology.
Technical partners include TRACE Expert City, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC), Sri Lanka Agripreneurs Forum (SLAF), Institute of Food Science and Technology Sri Lanka (IFSTSL), National Innovation Agency (NIA) and Square Hub.
Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Harini Amarasuriya said the initiative would give university students an opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-world problems while strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.
FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Vimlendra Sharan said the programme would help students turn ideas into practical solutions that contribute to more resilient, sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems.
Hatton National Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Damith Pallewatte said the bank was proud to partner with FAO and the government in promoting innovation that could strengthen agriculture, food systems and rural livelihoods.
The initiative also aims to strengthen links between universities, government institutions, industry and development partners, with the objective of turning academic research into practical solutions for farmers, fishers, livestock producers and consumers. (Newswire)