Colombo, Sri Lanka - In a significant step toward fostering sustainable agricultural development, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) recently co-hosted a high-level event to advance the production and export potential of TomEJC mangoes in Sri Lanka. The initiative is poised to unlock new opportunities for the nation’s mango industry, promoting innovation, collaboration, and profitability across the value chain.
The event, held in partnership with Australian Aid, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, the Lanka Fruit and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association, CGIAR, and leading academic institutions such as the University of Sydney and The University of Queensland, drew a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants included policymakers, agricultural experts, exporters, and private-sector representatives.
Keynote Address: The Value of Partnerships
H.E. Paul Stephens, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, delivered the keynote speech, emphasizing the critical role of international partnerships in agricultural innovation. He highlighted how such collaborations can accelerate sustainable practices and boost Sri Lanka's competitiveness in global markets.
Event Highlights:
Global Insights: The event provided a platform to explore international market opportunities for Sri Lanka’s mangoes, setting the stage for global outreach.
Expert Panel Discussion: Stakeholders from diverse sectors shared their vision for enhancing the mango value chain, focusing on scalability and sustainability.
Maximizing Profits: Groundbreaking research findings on improving efficiency in mango production and export were presented, shedding light on strategies to reduce waste and increase revenue.
Unified Action: Interactive breakout sessions facilitated idea-sharing and the formulation of a joint action plan for sectoral growth.
A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Development
The event underscored the importance of collective action, with contributors from academia, industry, and government joining hands to drive the sustainable growth of Sri Lanka’s mango industry. The collaboration aims to address challenges in production, processing, and export while ensuring the adoption of environmentally friendly practices.
“This initiative not only aims to boost the economic potential of TomEJC mangoes but also sets a precedent for integrating sustainability into agricultural value chains,” said a representative from IWMI.
As Sri Lanka eyes a thriving mango sector, the outcomes of this high-level event are expected to pave the way for greater innovation, profitability, and sustainability, making the nation a key player in the global mango market.
