19.3 Sectors in Sri Lanka that make up Sri Lanka’s Bioeconomy
Agricultural sector
Since the beginning of time, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) has been an agricultural nation. Agriculture was the main industry in Sri Lanka back then, and this was the primary use of the land. Food was grown locally, and there was not much agricultural trade with other countries. In Sri Lanka, rice production is the main agricultural activity. The seasons of Yale and Mahi are when rice is grown. Grown in the central highlands, tea is a significant export commodity. In the nation, fruits, vegetables, and oilseed crops are also grown. The Department of Agriculture established two parks known as Agriculture Parks, or A. Parks. In Sri Lanka, agriculture accounts for 27.1% of the country’s total population. In 2020, 7.4% of the GDP (gross domestic product) came from agriculture.
Food and Beverages sector
In Sri Lanka, seventy-five percent of the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market is made up of consumer food and beverage products. The category with the biggest contribution is milk powder, followed by biscuits. Sri Lanka’s F&B sector benefits from the country’s diverse agriculture, including the cultivation of rice, fruits, vegetables, tea, and spices. The availability of a variety of raw materials contributes to the richness of the sector. Sri Lanka is known for its tea, spices, and other agricultural products that are key components of the country’s F&B exports. Tea, in particular, is a significant export commodity. The local cuisine plays a crucial role in the F&B sector, attracting both locals and tourists. The sector is closely linked to the tourism industry, with traditional Sri Lankan dishes being popular among visitors. The F&B sector includes various sub-sectors involved in food processing and manufacturing. This encompasses the production of packaged foods, beverages, confectionery, and other processed items. Sri Lanka has a thriving beverage industry that produces a range of products, including traditional beverages like tea and innovations in the soft drink and bottled water segments. While Sri Lanka exports a variety of F&B products, it also imports certain items to meet domestic demand. The importation of certain food products is influenced by factors such as consumer preferences and international trade agreements. The sector is subject to regulations and quality standards to ensure the safety and quality of food products. Compliance with local and international standards is essential for businesses in this sector. The F&B sector in Sri Lanka includes a mix of large-scale enterprises and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs often play a significant role in contributing to the sector’s diversity. Challenges faced by the F&B sector may include issues related to supply chain management, market access, and competition. Opportunities lie in innovation, value addition, and exploring new markets.
The multidisciplinary integration of engineering and science known as biotechnology allows us to take advantage of biological systems’ enormous biochemical potential for environmental preservation, restoration, and protection as well as for the sustainable use of natural resources. Advances in emerging genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have reenergized the biotechnology community’s diverse disciplines. Numerous industrial, agricultural, and environmental issues are resolved by the advancements in biotechnology and engineering methods. Among the main biotechnological disciplines, agricultural biotechnology has also been developing very quickly. Despite being at the forefront of scientific endeavor for the last three decades or more, Sri Lanka has not advanced in the field of biotechnology. It is possible that a lack of advanced laboratory equipment and human resources significantly slowed down progress in this field (Sabena, M.I.S., 2013).