Combining local resources,traditional knowledge and science to build a food-secure Sri Lanka
World Food Day 2026: Innovating today for a better food future by Dr. Kaushalya Wijayasekara What will be on the Sri Lankan dinner table ten years from now? Will our children be able to get nutritious food at a price their families can afford? Will farmers be able to grow enough despite changing weather and […]
On World Food Day 2026, experts are urging Sri Lanka to reimagine its food system by combining local resources, traditional knowledge and modern science. To ensure a secure food future, the country must optimize its existing crops, fisheries, traditional food knowledge and research institutions. This means creatively utilizing traditional rice varieties, fruits and vegetables for modern, nutritious value-added products, while reducing food loss and waste through better processing, storage and distribution.
Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural production, so the system must be resilient to shifting conditions. To shape this future, Sri Lanka should prioritize research and innovation, involving young people in developing practical solutions that address waste reduction, sustainable packaging, nutrition, food safety and the integration of digital technologies.
By fostering collaboration between universities, industries, policymakers and local communities, Sri Lanka can design a food system that maximizes its resources, enhances food safety, improves nutrition, creates jobs and strengthens rural economies, without relying on foreign models.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
