CIRDAP-HARTI Asia-Pacific Conference on Innovations in Rural Development held in Sri Lanka.
Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K.D. Lal Kantha, participated in the conference.
The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), together with the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI) of Sri Lanka, has organized to hold the CIRDAP-HARTI Asia-Pacific Conference on Innovations in Rural Development and the CIRDAP Knowledge Sharing Dialogue on Sri Lanka in Colombo from 7 to 9 October 2026.
Bringing together policymakers, government representatives, researchers, development practitioners, innovators, private sector stakeholders, the academic community and other stakeholders from 13 countries in the Asia and Pacific region, this three-day program will provide a regional platform for showcasing practical innovations, exchanging knowledge, and exploring collaborative approaches to strengthening the livelihoods of rural people and accelerating sustainable rural transformation.
The conference began today, 7 October, at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. The inaugural ceremony was attended by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha. Senior officials of the relevant ministries, CIRDAP member countries, HARTI and other partner institutions also took part in the programme.
A key feature of the inaugural session was the presentation of awards to 18 innovators selected under the CIRDAP-REEDS International Rural Development Innovation Challenge 2026, which was carried out by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha. On the same occasion, the publication titled “Seeds of Change: Innovations in Rural Development Across Asia and the Pacific” was also launched.
The award-winning innovators represented 13 CIRDAP member countries: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Across Asia and the Pacific, rural communities are not just adapting to change, but are also innovating solutions. From digital technologies and climate-smart agriculture to circular enterprises, sustainable fisheries and community-led initiatives, a new generation of rural innovators is demonstrating that the most transformative ideas to address today’s challenges are emerging from the communities themselves.
Reflecting these growing opportunities for innovation and creativity, the “International Rural Development Innovation Challenge 2026”, organized jointly by CIRDAP and its partner organization REEDS of India, received an overwhelming 187 submissions from innovators across CIRDAP member countries.
From these outstanding entries, an international jury conducted a rigorous selection process and identified 15 outstanding innovations for recognition. Together, these innovations address critical priorities through digital agriculture, climate-smart livelihoods, circular economy solutions, rural finance, sustainable fisheries, food security, agricultural value chains and community-based enterprise development, showcasing the powerful potential of rural talent across the CIRDAP region.
