Hatch, an innovation and entrepreneurship platform, today announced the successful conclusion of the second cohort of its GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator program, run in partnership with the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement. The program is designed to champion technological innovation and scale-up high-potential solutions within Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, with a specific focus on uplifting small-holder farmers.
GoviLab was launched in August 2023 under the government’s Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation (IDAT) initiative. It operates as a national accelerator for post-revenue agri and agri-tech businesses, providing structured support including technical expertise, business advisory, market access, ecosystem partnerships, and capacity building.
Over the past two years (2024-2026), the accelerator has supported a total of 20 startups across two cohorts. These efforts are closely aligned with national priorities on agricultural productivity, sustainability, digital adoption, and inclusive economic growth.
Commenting on the program’s impact, Mevan Peiris – CEO of Hatch Innovation stated, “Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, which engages nearly 30% of the population while contributing less than 8% to the GDP, is in critical need of tech adoption and efficiency. Through the GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator, we are providing the national platform necessary to positively disrupt this sector and take it to the future-ready state it needs to be. The first two cohorts have clearly demonstrated the immense potential of AgriTech Startups that require support to scale their solutions to a National level.
The program has showcased a diverse range of innovative AgriTech solutions, including:
- Drone technology for paddy fertilizer application and coconut cultivation management.
- Precision agriculture solutions for greenhouses and open-field cultivation.
- Multiple technologies to better manage Human-Wildlife conflict.
- Locally manufactured agri-machinery.
- Digital technologies aimed at significantly improving working conditions of labourers, access to finance, and yield optimization.
The second cohort’s journey culminated in a highly successful demo day on March 10, 2026, where the participating startups presented their refined solutions to industry stakeholders, partners, and ecosystem leaders, connecting them with vital networks and resources to scale their impact.
The President of the Sarvodaya Shramadhana Movement, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne added, “Our collaboration with Hatch on GoviLab is a testament to the power of combining technological innovation with grassroots development. These agri-tech solutions hold the key to truly transforming the livelihoods of small-holder farmers and securing a more sustainable, prosperous future for Sri Lankan agriculture.”