The Sri Lankan government, in partnership with Sarvodaya and Hatch, launched the GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator on Wednesday.

This initiative aims to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the country and contribute to the overall development of the agriculture sector.

The accelerator will focus on identifying and supporting startups that develop innovative technologies to address the specific needs of Sri Lankan farmers. These technologies should be accessible and affordable for small and medium-sized farmers.

The program will initially involve stakeholder consultations and focus group discussions to identify the key challenges faced by smallholder farmers, such as food security and post-harvest losses. These challenges will be addressed through the empowerment of smallholder farmers by cultivating a digitized agricultural ecosystem.

The first cohort of the GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator will select 10 startups through a competitive application process. These startups will undergo a 6-month acceleration period, which will include a comprehensive scale-up process and a capacity-building grant.

Kanaka Herath, the State Minister of Technology, said, "The time has come to modernise and transform this sector with technology. The Inclusive Digital Agricultural Transformation, or IDAT, is the National strategy to drive this. It's a vision for a more resilient, efficient, and equitable agricultural landscape in Sri Lanka."

The GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator is calling upon all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and technology innovators, to join hands in making the program a success. The program also welcomes applications from startups that have developed and tested technological solutions aimed at bolstering Sri Lanka's agriculture industry.

Overall, the GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator is a promising initiative that has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka. By addressing the challenges faced by the farming community, the program can contribute to the overall development of the agriculture sector and the nation as a whole.