GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator Concludes Second Cohort 📈

The GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator has successfully completed its second cohort, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation (IDAT) strategy. The program, partnered by Hatch, Sarvodaya, and the Gates Foundation, aims to modernize a sector that employs 30% of the population but contributes less than 8% to GDP. • Program Impact & Scale Supported 20 agri-tech startups across two cohorts (2024–2026). Cohort 2 featured 10 startups, including 4 female-led ventures. Focuses on smallholder farmers to improve productivity, sustainability, and digital adoption. • Strategic Economic Goals Supports the national target to grow the digital economy from US$ 3.5 Bn to US$ 15 Bn by 2030. Aims to expand the technology industry to US$ 5 Bn within the same period. Leverages CROPIX, a national digital platform launched in early 2026, featuring 150+ APIs for agricultural intelligence. • Sectoral Innovations Solutions include drone technology for paddy and coconut cultivation, precision agriculture for greenhouses, and locally manufactured machinery. Addressed critical issues like human-wildlife conflict and post-harvest wastage to ensure national food security. • Key Partnerships Funded by the Gates Foundation with technical steering from ICTA and the Ministry of Agriculture. Sarvodaya provides "last-mile" connectivity to grassroots farmer bases, while Hatch serves as the primary accelerator provider.