Government, Industry and researchers discuss opportunities to develop high-value berry sector
Nuwara Eliya: TechnoMate Ltd, in partnership with EMCO CAL (USA) and Cal Pacific Agri Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (India), recently hosted the Sri Lanka Berry Industry Development Forum 2026 at Araliya Green City, Nuwara Eliya, bringing together government officials, researchers, growers and industry stakeholders to discuss the future development of Sri Lanka’s berry sector.
The forum was attended by Dr. W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, who participated as Chief Guest, alongside international berry industry expert Dr. Bharat Bhojane, Vice President – Asia Pacific Region of EMCO CAL and Managing Director of Cal Pacific Agri Solutions, and Dr. P.D. Abeytilakarathna, Deputy Director (Research), of the Agricultural Research Station, Seetha Eliya.
Addressing the gathering, the Director General highlighted the significant economic potential of high-value berry crops, noting that such crops can generate up to ten times higher earnings compared to many conventional upcountry crops.
Dr. W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, said, “The Department of Agriculture is committed to supporting the development of the berry industry, which has strong potential to improve farmer incomes and create new opportunities in Sri Lanka’s highland regions,”
He further noted that new funding and grant programmes will soon be available for the sector, while a revised plant protection framework expected within the next six months will strengthen intellectual property protection for plant varieties and encourage international suppliers to introduce advanced cultivars to Sri Lanka.
The Director General also proposed the formation of an Expert Working Group comprising representatives from the Department of Agriculture, the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS), the Fruit Research and Development Institute (FRDI), along with large and small-scale farmers, to guide the strategic development of the industry.
During the technical masterclass, Dr. Bharat Bhojane shared global insights on strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, highlighting Sri Lanka’s potential to access regional markets, particularly the Indian off-season market between April and September.
Dr. Bharat Bhojane, Vice President – Asia Pacific Region of EMCO CAL and Managing Director of Cal Pacific Agri Solutions, further stated,“Sri Lanka’s highland climate offers favourable conditions to develop a competitive berry industry, especially if farmers adopt improved varieties and modern cultivation practices,”
Dr. P.D. Abeytilakarathna, Deputy Director (Research), of the Agricultural Research Station, Seetha Eliya, presented the current research landscape and challenges faced in local strawberry cultivation, emphasising the need for stronger collaboration between research institutions and commercial growers.
Speaking during the forum, TechnoMate Ltd Managing Director Kosala Liyanagedara highlighted the opportunity to strengthen the sector. “Local strawberries retail at over USD 18 per kilogram, indicating both strong demand and limited supply. By bringing global expertise, local research and industry together, this forum aims to initiate a dialogue toward building a more competitive and scalable berry industry in Sri Lanka,”
Organisers noted that the forum represents one of the first national-level platforms dedicated to the development of Sri Lanka’s berry industry, with participants emphasising the importance of stronger collaboration between research institutions, regulators and the private sector to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Photo captions:
Left to Right – Kosala Liyanagedara, Dr. W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi, Dr. Bharat Bhojane, Dr. P.D. Abeytilakarathna