This article originally appeared on the CGIAR website.
Over 40 researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders gathered at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the FRESH Science Meeting. The gathering aimed to address challenges and identify opportunities to achieve healthier diets by strengthening fruit and vegetable value chains.
The CGIAR Research Initiative on Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) uses end-to-end approaches to increase fruit and vegetable intake, starting with understanding the drivers of dietary choices and subsequently addressing barriers to increasing fruit and vegetable intake across the food system. Building on the momentum generated by similar FRESH events in Tanzania and the Philippines, the meeting in Sri Lanka provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange insights and discuss emerging research through a country-specific lens.
The meeting commenced with a welcome from Pay Dreschel, IWMI Country Lead, who emphasized the role of sustainable vegetable production and food safety in building resilient food systems in Sri Lanka. Next, opening remarks from Deanna Olney, FRESH Initiative Lead from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), provided an overview of FRESH’s end-to-end approaches, encouraging the group to consider pathways for ongoing collaborations in Sri Lanka.
Approaches for promoting better diets
The first session explored the landscape of diet and nutrition issues in Sri Lanka, as well as the need to address demand-side and food environment challenges to foster increased fruit and vegetable intake. Monica Wijerathna from the Ministry of Health shared both promising and concerning trends — although under-five malnutrition indicators have generally stabilized, overweight/obesity continues to rise across all age groups, largely driven by poor quality diets.
Danny Hunter from the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT presented findings from FRESH’s research on indigenous fruit and vegetables in Sri Lanka, while Renuka Silva of Wayamba University demonstrated the potential for nutrition-sensitive interventions to improve micronutrient intake. Leah Salm from the Institute of Development Studies and Anisha Gooneratne from Colombo Urban Lab shared results from their food environment research, which visualized the lived experiences of consumers and vendors through interactive StoryMaps.
Enhancing the availability and safety of fruit & vegetables
The next session delved into the supply-side barriers to increasing fruit and vegetable intake in Sri Lanka, focusing on issues related to availability and food safety. Roland Schafleitner from the World Vegetable Center provided an update on the development of prioritized vegetable varieties in Sri Lanka. Mohamed Aheeyar, FRESH Country Coordinator and Regional Researcher at IWMI, shared success stories from participatory trails at FRESH production hubs, where farmers increased their yields and income by implementing good agronomic practices.
Discussions shifted to mitigating food loss and promoting food safety, with two presentations on postharvest management. Ilmi Hewajulige from the Industrial Technology Institute of Sri Lanka revealed gaps in food safety, indicating a need for more research on microbial contamination and pesticide/heavy metal residues. Darshani Weerahewa from Open University of Sri Lanka provided examples from ACIAR’s journey mitigating loss in fruit and vegetable value chains.
Holistic approaches to promoting fruit and vegetables
The final research session featured presentations on holistic approaches to promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. Samali Perera from the University of Sydney outlined policy strengths and barriers, while Nadia Koyratty and Quinn Marshall from IFPRI presented the design of the evaluation to assess the impact of FRESH’s end-to-end approach in Sri Lanka.
Policy synergies and collaboration
Following the research sessions, two engaging panel discussions highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration and partnerships. The first panel featured Supun Wijeisinghe (Ministry of Health), Samanthi Wasala (Department of Agriculture), Srinivasan Ramasamy, (World Vegetable Center), and Aruna Weerakoon (Seeds and Planting Materials Association). Discussions explored challenges associated with achieving healthier diets in Sri Lanka, focusing on strategies to bridge the gap between research findings and practical implementation
Reflecting on his participation in the panel, Weerakoon shared:
“I have always been an advocate on the use of high-performing seed to achieve food security. As this is one side of the food chain, it was interesting to hear from experts from the other end and in between. It now boils down to a more organized distribution system of agri-produce and designing food plates for different groups based on their income capacity and ensuring the supply side matches the demand side to ensure that no one is hungry at the end!”
In the second panel, FRESH Country Coordinators from the other three FRESH focal countries, Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa (Philippines), Wiston Mwombeki (Tanzania), and Irene Medeme-Mitchodigni (Benin), shared valuable insights from their respective contexts. Their experiences highlighted common challenges and innovative solutions, presenting opportunities for cross-country knowledge sharing and stronger global collaboration.
Moving forward
As the meeting concluded, Elyse Iruhiriye from IFPRI led a session focused on the path ahead. Participants engaged in small group discussions to identify future priorities for fruit and vegetables in Sri Lanka. Key themes emerged, including the need for more robust policies, stronger multisectoral partnerships, and increased investment to support sustainable fruit and vegetable value chains.
The FRESH Science Meeting advanced dialogue on barriers and opportunities for increasing fruit and vegetable production and consumption in Sri Lanka, effectively blending research insights with discussions on actionable solutions. By bringing together stakeholders from across the food system, the gathering served as a platform for exchanging ideas and aligning priorities for the future. The insights and partnerships gained from the meeting will be instrumental in driving the development of policies and interventions to achieve healthier diets in Sri Lanka by holistically addressing barriers to fruit and vegetable intake.