As Minister Jayatissa and experts emphasise, the private sector’s dynamism, combined with targeted public support, offers the best path to a competitive, sustainable livestock industry that delivers for consumers, producers, and the nation.
Transformation also requires partnerships. Governments, research institutions, financial institutions, civil society organizations, CSR initiatives, and the private sector each have a vital role in building an ecosystem where smallholders can thrive.
Cereal production for 2025 was revised upward to a record 3,029 million tonnes – a 5.6 per cent leap – bolstered by favourable monsoons in South America and Africa.
While the initiative has generated excitement among policy makers, experts note that deepening AI adoption in agriculture will require strengthened infrastructure – including rural broadband, sensor networks and interoperable data systems – as well as a focus on data privacy, inclusion, and affordability for marginal farmers.
Harnessing innovation and resilience could transform it into a global powerhouse; inaction risks deeper food insecurity and economic fragility for millions.
Extreme heat has become a growing public emergency, depriving people of basic necessities and threatening their right to live in a healthy, safe, and dignified environment.
Transitioning to sustainable systems requires substantial investment and coordinated effort across sectors. Additionally, achieving these goals hinges on overcoming resistance from vested interests, such as industrial agriculture and fossil fuel industries.