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SAPLING Dialogue 2026: Call for concrete action plan for holistic development of food processing sector
Daily FT
|July 06, 2026
High-level regional policy confab in Gujarat stresses food systems transformation can drive economic growth across South Asia
THE two-day Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue ‘SAPLING (South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth) Dialogue 2026’, jointly organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India and the World Bank Group concluded successfully recently in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The Dialogue, held under the theme ‘Unlocking Value: Advancing Food Processing for Employment Generation and Sustainable Growth in South Asia’, brought together around 200 participants including policymakers, industry leaders, international organisations, development partners, researchers, startups, financial institutions, and representatives from South Asian countries to deliberate on strengthening resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in the region.
The Sri Lankan delegation included Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Assistant Secretary Mihiri Thennakoon, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Ministry Secretary K.A. Vimalenthirarajah, National Institute of Post-Harvest Management Chairman Prof. B.D. Rohitha Prasantha, MILCO Chairman G.V. Hemajeewa Gotabhaya, Agrithmics CEO Prashanth Premakumar, Dilmah Ceylon Manager Agriculture Innovation Nucleus Anuradha Ranasinghe, Keells Supermarkets Manager (fresh Technical Expert) Dhanushka Anuradha, Ocean Trade and Logistics Ltd., Managing Director Sudesh Mendis, SenzAgro Solutions Founder Miller Rajendran and Chief Technical Officer Brunthavan Murugaiah, World Bank Sri Lanka Senior Agriculture Economist Felipe F. Dizon, and World Bank External Affairs Officer Dilinika Peiris. Vimalenthirarajah, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India Mahishini Colonne and Agrithmics’ CEO Premakumar spoke at the event as panellists.
This story is from the July 06, 2026 edition of Daily FT.
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