Agriculture Industry Forum Held at Waters Edge: Engineering Solutions for the Future
By PUBLICITY DIVISION (IESL)
On September 10th, 2024, the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) successfully hosted the Agriculture Industry Forum at the prestigious Waters Edge Hotel. The event brought together a wide array of professionals, academics, and industry leaders to discuss the modernization and advancement of Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.
Under the theme "Agriculture’s Tomorrow and Tomorrow’s Agriculture," the forum provided a crucial platform to address the current challenges and future opportunities within the agricultural industry. Agriculture, which contributes significantly to the country's socio-economic framework—comprising 7.5% of Sri Lanka’s GDP, 21.8% of its national export earnings, and employing 26.5% of the workforce—was at the heart of discussions. The forum emphasized the need for modernization and technological integration to ensure long-term sustainability and productivity.
Focus on Key Issues and Objectives
The forum centered on several key objectives aimed at shaping the future of agriculture in Sri Lanka:
- Technological Advancement: Participants explored how modern, smart technologies can be integrated into agriculture and discussed the development of a National Agricultural Mechanization Policy.
- Educational and Skill Development: Discussions revolved around the educational requirements and skills needed in agricultural engineering to facilitate the sector's adoption of advanced technologies.
- Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I): Identifying key RD&I needs to address current challenges and promote sustainable growth was a major focus.
- Policy Development: The forum aimed to produce a comprehensive policy brief to guide the future of the Agricultural and Plantation Engineering sector.
Agriculture in Transition
The forum highlighted two critical aspects of the evolving agriculture landscape. "Agriculture’s Tomorrow" focused on the current state of agriculture, underscoring its importance to Sri Lanka’s economy and the pressing need for modernization to overcome outdated practices. Meanwhile, "Tomorrow’s Agriculture" looked ahead to the future, envisioning how the adoption of smart technologies, mechanization, and Industry 4.0 principles could propel the sector forward. This vision included innovations such as automation, precision farming, and digital solutions, all of which are crucial to addressing global challenges like food security, population growth, and climate change.
Engineering at the Forefront
Recognizing the vital role that engineering plays in advancing agriculture, the IESL’s Sectional Committee on Agriculture and Plantation Engineering organized three key sessions that addressed:
- Smart Technologies and Mechanization: The integration of smart technologies and the creation of a mechanization policy for agriculture.
- Educational Needs for Agricultural Engineering: The skill and educational requirements necessary to support technological growth in the sector.
- Research and Development: Identifying the RD&I needs that could unlock solutions to the sector’s most pressing challenges.
The forum featured three keynote speeches and interactive sessions that engaged participants, encouraging collaboration to drive the industry forward.
A Step Toward Modernization
The IESL Agriculture Industry Forum 2024 marked a significant step in the modernization of Sri Lanka's agriculture sector. By fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, the event highlighted the path forward—embracing technological advancements and engineering solutions to ensure the sustainable growth of the nation’s agricultural landscape.
