The inaugural Catalysing Climate-Smart Agriculture: Public-Private-People Forum was recently held in Colombo, bringing together key stakeholders from the private sector, government, civil society, and international development partners. The forum aimed to address pressing challenges in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector by promoting climate-smart solutions.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the event served as a strategic platform for dialogue and collaboration. Discussions focused on policy, regulatory, and fiscal reforms, alongside digital innovations, to enhance resilience, reduce emissions, and support national climate goals.
Collective Action for Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. R.D.S. Jayatunga, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, underscored the forum’s importance, stating, “This platform demonstrates the power of collective action in tackling one of the most critical challenges of our time. By uniting expertise and resources from the public, private, and community sectors, we can develop innovative solutions to strengthen agricultural resilience and secure sustainable livelihoods for millions of Sri Lankans.”
Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) Nalin Munasinghe echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of partnerships. “Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector stands at a crossroads. Through collaborative initiatives like this, we can foster climate-resilient growth that protects livelihoods and ensures long-term food security.”
Key Challenges and Solutions
The forum examined the significant impact of climate change on agriculture, including erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and pest outbreaks. Stakeholders validated findings from a comprehensive Barriers Assessment and explored actionable solutions to boost private sector investment.
Proposed measures included policy reforms, financial incentives, and improved coordination mechanisms to align investments with global financing opportunities and local needs.
A key outcome of the forum was the validation of an actionable roadmap aimed at:
- Removing barriers to private sector investment in climate-smart agriculture
- Strengthening collaboration between public, private, and community sectors
- Leveraging international climate financing and digital innovations to scale best practices
The roadmap also recommended establishing a Private Sector Working Group to sustain momentum and ensure continued engagement among stakeholders.
Towards a Climate-Resilient Future
The forum featured expert insights on global best practices, including strategies from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan. Representatives from academia, civil society, and the financial sector contributed their perspectives, ensuring an inclusive approach to solution development.
The outcomes of this initiative will inform future efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, with a focus on sustainability, resilience, and meeting national climate commitments.
