As Sri Lanka faces growing climate-related risks to its agrifood systems, from the devastating impacts of Cyclone Ditwah to the heightened risks associated with the expected influence of El Niño, there is an urgent need to build greater resilience into the way food is produced, processed, distributed and consumed. Innovation will be central to ensuring that Sri Lanka’s agrifood systems can withstand increasingly frequent and unpredictable climate shocks while continuing to provide safe, nutritious and affordable food.

Young people must be at the forefront of this transformation. They need the space, opportunities and support to bring new perspectives to the challenges facing agrifood systems and to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions. It is against this backdrop that the World Food Day Youth Innovation Challenge was launched in Sri Lanka under the theme “Innovate Today – Nourish Tomorrow.”

Organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and Hatton National Bank (HNB), the challenge has provided young people from across Sri Lanka with a platform to develop innovative solutions to challenges affecting agriculture, fisheries, food systems, nutrition, climate resilience and related sectors.

The initiative attracted more than 200 registrations and over 100 submissions from 51 state and non-state universities and higher education institutions, demonstrating the breadth of interest among Sri Lanka’s young people in using innovation and technology to contribute to the country’s food systems.

Following a multi-stage evaluation process, the Top 12 teams were selected to develop their ideas into prototypes, with access to expert guidance, mentorship and support. The finalists presented their solutions to a panel of evaluators as part of the final stage of the challenge and showcased their innovations as part of the World Food Day 2026 celebration.

The first-place award was presented to Team GreenMayo for OKRANAISE a plant-based mayonnaise.

The Top 10 solutions will continue to receive mentorship and support beyond the competition, enabling the young innovators to further improve their prototypes, strengthen their solutions and work towards market readiness. This continued support will also create opportunities for the teams to engage with potential investors, private sector partners, technical experts and other stakeholders who can help promising solutions move from the prototype stage towards practical application, commercialisation and scale.

“Sri Lanka is experiencing increasingly complex challenges to its food and agriculture systems, and climate change is making it even more important that we strengthen our resilience and ability to adapt. Our young people have the creativity, knowledge and energy to be part of this transformation. By giving them the space to innovate, test their ideas and connect with the private sector and other partners, we can help turn their solutions into meaningful contributions to the future of our food systems,” said Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr Harini Amarasuriya.

“Innovation is critical to building agrifood systems that can withstand climate shocks and respond to changing needs. What we have seen through this challenge is that Sri Lanka’s young people are already thinking about how technology, science and entrepreneurship can be applied to real challenges in our food systems. Our responsibility is to create the space and partnerships that allow these ideas to develop further.” said Mr Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

“The private sector has an important role to play in helping promising innovations move from ideas and prototypes towards viable solutions. HNB is proud to support an initiative that gives young innovators a platform to address real challenges facing Sri Lanka’s agrifood systems. We see significant potential in creating stronger connections between young innovators, industry and investors.” said Mr Damith Pallewatte, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hatton National Bank PLC.

The World Food Day Youth Innovation Challenge forms part of Sri Lanka’s World Food Day 2026 celebrations, held under the auspices of the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr Harini Amarasuriya.

The initiative reflects FAO’s commitment to supporting innovation, partnerships and youth engagement in transforming agrifood systems. By connecting young innovators with government, academia, technical experts and the private sector, the challenge seeks to create pathways for new ideas to contribute to a more resilient, sustainable and food-secure Sri Lanka.

World Food Day is observed annually on 16 October, marking the founding of FAO in 1945 and bringing together stakeholders around the world to raise awareness of hunger, food security and the transformation of agrifood systems.