Harini Amarasuriya highlighted the vital role of rural youth in transforming Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector during a national agripreneur showcase in Colombo. She emphasised that with the right investment and support, young people can drive a shift towards a more productive, resilient and market-oriented agricultural system that strengthens food security. The event, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Sri Lankan government, brought together hundreds of young entrepreneurs, policymakers and development partners to showcase innovation and foster collaboration.
The forum served as a platform to connect youth with markets, financial institutions and private sector partners, reinforcing the growing importance of youth-led agribusiness. Government representatives stressed that investing in young agripreneurs is essential for the future of agriculture, enabling modern farming practices while improving rural livelihoods and economic opportunities.
The Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships Programme (SAPP), launched in 2017, has already supported nearly 5,000 young entrepreneurs through training, financial access and market linkages. The programme demonstrates how targeted support can boost productivity, expand market access and generate sustainable incomes, contributing to broader rural transformation.
Speakers also underlined IFAD’s commitment to placing youth at the centre of food system development, noting that empowering young agripreneurs is key to building inclusive and resilient agricultural systems. The event featured discussions on climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation and financial inclusion, alongside opportunities for business partnerships and knowledge exchange.
International collaboration was another focus, with participation from India’s Rural Enterprise Acceleration Project enabling cross-country learning on scalable agribusiness models. Young entrepreneurs shared success stories, illustrating how support programmes have helped them build businesses, access global markets and create opportunities within their communities, particularly for women.
