Exploring pathways for promoting sustainable fruit & vegetable systems in Sri Lanka: Insights from FRESH stakeholder meeting 

On December 6, 2024, over 40 researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders gathered at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the FRESH Science Meeting. The gathering aimed to address challenges and identify opportunities to achieve healthier diets by strengthening fruit and vegetable value chains. 

The CGIAR Research Initiative on Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) uses end-to-end approaches to increase fruit and vegetable intake, starting with understanding the drivers of dietary choices and subsequently addressing barriers to increasing fruit and vegetable intake across the food system. Building on the momentum generated by similar FRESH events in Tanzania and the Philippines, the meeting in Sri Lanka provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange insights and discuss emerging research through a country-specific lens. 

The meeting commenced with a welcome from Dr. Pay Dreschel, IWMI Country Lead, who emphasized the role of sustainable vegetable production and food safety in building resilient food systems in Sri Lanka. Next, opening remarks from Dr. Deanna Olney, FRESH Initiative Lead from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), provided an overview of FRESH’s end-to-end approaches, encouraging the group to consider pathways for ongoing collaborations in Sri Lanka. 

Approaches for promoting better diets 

The first session explored the landscape of diet and nutrition issues in Sri Lanka, as well as the need to address demand-side and food environment challenges to foster increased fruit and vegetable intake. Dr. Sachintha Dilhani from the Nutrition Division, Ministry of Health shared both promising and concerning trends — although under-five malnutrition indicators have generally stabilized, overweight/obesity continues to rise across all age groups, largely driven by poor quality diets.  

Dr. Danny Hunter from the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT presented findings from FRESH’s research on indigenous fruit and vegetables in Sri Lanka, while Prof. Renuka Silva of Wayamba University demonstrated the potential for nutrition-sensitive interventions to improve micronutrient intake. Leah Salm from the Institute of Development Studies and Anisha Gooneratne from Colombo Urban Lab shared results from their food environment research, which visualized the lived experiences of consumers and vendors through interactive StoryMaps.  

Enhancing the availability and safety of fruit & vegetables 

The next session delved into the supply-side barriers to increasing fruit and vegetable intake in Sri Lanka, focusing on issues related to availability and food safety. Dr. Roland Schafleitner from the World Vegetable Center provided an update on the development of prioritized vegetable varieties in Sri Lanka. Mohamed Aheeyar, FRESH Country Coordinator and Regional Researcher at IWMI, shared success stories from participatory trails at FRESH production hubs, where farmers increased their yields and income by implementing good agronomic practices.   

Discussions shifted to mitigating food loss and promoting food safety, with two presentations on postharvest management. Prof. Ilmi Hewajulige from the Industrial Technology Institute of Sri Lanka revealed gaps in food safety, indicating a need for more research on microbial contamination and pesticide/heavy metal residues. Prof. Darshani Weerahewa from Open University of Sri Lanka provided examples from ACIAR’s journey mitigating loss in fruit and vegetable value chains.  

Holistic approaches to promoting fruit and vegetables 

The final research session featured presentations on holistic approaches to promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. Samali Perera from the University of Sydney outlined policy strengths and barriers, while Dr. Nadia Koyratty and Dr. Quinn Marshall from IFPRI presented the design of the evaluation to assess the impact of FRESH’s end-to-end approach in Sri Lanka.  

Policy synergies and collaboration 

Following the research sessions, two engaging panel discussions highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration and partnerships. The first panel featured Dr. Supun Wijeisinghe (Ministry of Health), Dr. Samanthi Wasala (Department of Agriculture), Dr. Srinivasan Ramasamy, (World Vegetable Center), and Mr. Aruna Weerakoon (Seeds and Planting Materials Association). Discussions explored challenges associated with achieving healthier diets in Sri Lanka, focusing on strategies to bridge the gap between research findings and practical implementation 

Reflecting on his participation in the panel, Mr. Weerakoon shared:

“I have always been an advocate on the use of high-performing seed to achieve food security. As this is one side of the food chain, it was interesting to hear from experts from the other end and in between. It now boils down to a more organized distribution system of agri-produce and designing food plates for different groups based on their income capacity and ensuring the supply side matches the demand side to ensure that no one is hungry at the end!” 

In the second panel, FRESH Country Coordinators from the other three FRESH focal countries, Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa (Philippines), Wiston Mwombeki (Tanzania), and Irene Medeme-Mitchodigni (Benin), shared valuable insights from their respective contexts. Their experiences highlighted common challenges and innovative solutions, presenting opportunities for cross-country knowledge sharing and stronger global collaboration. 

Moving forward 

As the meeting concluded, Dr. Elyse Iruhiriye from IFPRI led a session focused on the path ahead. Participants engaged in small group discussions to identify future priorities for fruit and vegetables in Sri Lanka. Key themes emerged, including the need for more robust policies, stronger multisectoral partnerships, and increased investment to support sustainable fruit and vegetable value chains.  

The FRESH Science Meeting advanced dialogue on barriers and opportunities for increasing fruit and vegetable production and consumption in Sri Lanka, effectively blending research insights with discussions on actionable solutions. By bringing together stakeholders from across the food system, the gathering served as a platform for exchanging ideas and aligning priorities for the future. The insights and partnerships gained from the meeting will be instrumental in driving the development of policies and interventions to achieve healthier diets in Sri Lanka by holistically addressing barriers to fruit and vegetable intake.   

Download the presentations 

• F&V Biodiversity: Making Use of Underutilized Fruits and Vegetables for Better Diets and Nutrition in Sri Lanka – Danny Hunter, Renuka Silva, Gamini Pushpakumara, Diddugodage Chamila Jeewani, & Roland Schafleitner
• Impact of and Lessons Learned from WFP’s Nutrition-Sensitive, Shock-Responsive Food Assistance for Assets Program in Sri Lanka on Men’s and Women’s Dietary Intake – Renuka Silva, Deanna Olney, Hasara Sitisekara, & Bess Caswell
• FRESH: Beyond the Food Plate – Leah Salm & Anisha Gooneratne
• Developing Improved Vegetable Varieties in Sri Lanka and Looking into Seed Systems to Enhance Farmer Access to High-quality Seeds of Successful Varieties – Roland Schafleitner, Hemal Fonseka, Tharangani Welegama, Assaf Eybishitz, & Derek Barchenger
• Good Agronomic Practices for Safe and Sustainable Vegetable Cultivation in Sri Lanka: Experiences of Farmer Participatory Trials – Mohamed Aheeyar, Duleesha Nisansala, Manoj Kodikara, Lukas Pawera, Srinivasan Ramasamy, Mohsin Hafeez, & Ravi Gopal Singh
• Postharvest Losses and Food Safety Management of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables; Current Status and Way Forward – Ilmi G. N. Hewajulige
• Mitigation of Food Loss in Fruit and Vegetable Value Chains: ACIAR’s Journey – Darshani Weerahewa

 Header image: Group photo, FRESH Science Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by Sampath Ranawaka/IWMI.  

The FRESH Initiative is being implemented by CGIAR researchers from IFPRI, CIMMYT, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, IWMI, and CIP in close partnership with the World Vegetable Center, Applied Horticultural Research, the University of Sydney, the Institute of Development Studies, Wageningen University & Research, the University of California, Davis, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, and the Philippines Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute, along with other partners.