Vivonta Blog

Executive Summary Labor force participation is crucial for economic growth, with global rates typically ranging from 60% to 70% of the working-age population (ages 15-64). However, Sri Lanka faces significant challenges that inhibit its ability to reach these benchmarks, including outdated labor l...

TRADE UNIONISM  Master Servant struggle has been in continuation ever since the industrialised societies began in 18th century.  However the need to protect the existence of the organization and its growth are considered to be paramount importance.  In order to strengthen this thinking further...

It was an extraordinary experience witnessing the Ministry of Plantations industries exhibit their exceptional teamwork at the national-level exhibition, which commenced on the 22nd June at BMICH. The active involvement of the esteemed Hon (Dr) Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Plantations Industries, a...

Dr. W.G. Somarathne is a highly respected expert in plantations Agri value chain management with over 40 years of experience. He holds a BA in Economics, a Masters in Agricultural Economics from Imperial College, London, and a PhD in Economics from La Trobe University, Melbourne. He has led key proj...

In the EU Member States, the most general retirement age is 65 years. Spain, Germany, and France are about to raise their retirement age from 65 to 67 years, while the goal is 68 years in Britain and Ireland. Increasingly, the retirement age is being linked to life expectancy. The OECD country with ...

Sri Lanka boasts of a 2500-year-old agricultural heritage, which is a source of pride for its people. This knowledge was not born in laboratories but was developed through time-tested practices and a structured approach. However, the scientific method of research has led to further advancements in a...

Verse 1: Oh the oil palm, black gold they say Helping economies rise every day Providing low-cost oil for all to eat A blessing for Sri Lanka, a treat so sweet Chorus: Oil palm, oil palm, let us cultivate A brighter future for our country, let us create Ban lifted, let us plant and grow A self-suff...

With insights from Professor Buddhi Marambe, an expert in agricultural policy from the University of Peradeniya, this article delves into the state of Sri Lanka's agricultural landscape. Sri Lanka has lacked a comprehensive agricultural policy for a considerable period of time. Despite the presence...

Mr. Indra Rupasinghe stands as a leading figure in plantations Agri value chain management, with an illustrious career spanning over 40 years dedicated to sustainable agriculture. His leadership has been instrumental in enhancing crop production and advancing sustainability in Sri Lanka. Notably, Ru...

වසර 2018 දී පමණක් අප රටේ ජනතාවගේ පරිභෝජනය සදහා පාරිභෝගික තෙල් මෙට්රික් ටොන් 234,738 ක් ලංකාවට ආනයනය කර ඇත. මේ සදහා විදේශ ව�...

කෝවිඩ් වසන්ගතයත් සමගම වැවිලි ආර්ථිකය නැවතත් සැමගේ අවධානයට නැවතත් ලක්වී ඇත. 1974 සිට මේ දක්වා වැවිලි ආර්ථිකය ගොඩනැග�...

The dawn of 2021 is around the corner. The global pandemic has opened our eyes to the viable alternatives which is a blessing in disguise. Especially at a time, the industry is harping on low productivity and high costs. However, this opportunity could be the last chance to many industries in Sri La...

Mr. Indra Rupasingha, a senior value chain consultant at Vivonta Green Tech, has collaborated with the World Bank on intercropping spice crops, coffee, and tea. His expertise, enriched by Scandinavian and European agricultural systems, includes environment-controlled agriculture, organic production,...

Introduction: Sri Lanka is facing the challenges of population aging, which has led to significant changes in the structure and behavior of its society. One noticeable trend resulting from this demographic shift is the increasing re-employment of individuals after their formal retirement. Among var...

Within the heart of the Camellia sinensis plant, a mystique brew called tea emerges. Nature's delicate gift, this herb once held an enchanting allure, now fading into the annals of time. In the realm of tea, one name reigns supreme, echoing quality and the spirit of Ceylon. The late Merrill J Fe...

Unveiling the Unseen: Catalyzing Action to Protect Sri Lanka's Precious Rubber Heritage The foreboding specter of Circular Spot Leaf Disease (CSLD) looms ominously over our cherished rubber industry, casting a shadow of uncertainty. Identified by the vigilant eyes of the Rubber Research Institute o...

Seedling tea, also known as clonal tea, is a type of tea that is grown from genetically identical plants that are propagated from a single parent plant. It has the potential to be beneficial in mitigating the impacts of climate change for several reasons: Climate adaptation: Seedling tea plants ar...

To ensure the successful implementation of the National Agriculture Policy and achieve self-sustainability in food production, it is imperative to address two crucial elements: ensuring adequate water supply for farmers and promoting the growth of the pollinator population. With the anticipation and...

The Rubber Research Board (RRB) in Sri Lanka was established under the Rubber Research Ordinance No. 10 of 1930 and redefined by the Rubber Research Act No. 4 of 1979. This Act expanded the board’s responsibilities, enhancing governance and promoting effective research and development in the rubbe...

The Sri Lankan rubber industry, once the bedrock of our economy, faces an alarming crisis. This crucial sector is now perched perilously on the precipice of decline. To safeguard our economic stability and protect the livelihoods of many, swift and determined action is imperative. Are you cognizant ...

Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne is currently a Director at ANCL and previously served as Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education in Sri Lanka (2010–2015). He introduced the K-SAM Graduates Model, revolutionizing higher education. With extensive public and private sector experience, he holds a b...

ජන හා සංඛ්‍යාලේඛන දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව මගින් 2017 වසරේදී කරන ලද සමීක්ෂණයකට අනුව තේ හා රබර් අස්වනු නෙලන්නන් 2900 කගේ පමණ විශා...

Executive Summary: Sri Lanka, grappling with a stagnant GDP of $80 billion and recent bankruptcy, stands at a crossroads as it elects its 9th President. None of the 38 presidential candidates have adequately addressed the critical objectives of doubling the GDP to $160 billion and raising per capi...

The recent increase in wages for daily paid workers on plantations, mandated by the government, presents a significant financial challenge for plantation owners. However, this challenge can be transformed into an opportunity through the adoption of value chain management as detailed in the Agri Mode...

Both our good neighbours China and India are trying to achieve 50 Trillion USD economy (GDP) by 2050. Both these economies have heavily invested in improving IT/ICT and in R & D. Sri Lanka must increase provisions for R & D at least 1% of GDP PPP. Almost 4.1% of the population of Sri Lanka lives bel...

To propel Sri Lanka towards a healthier future, ensure sustainable food practices, and foster mindful eating habits for the well-being of generations to come, a transformative shift in our approach to food labeling is imperative. An impactful and cost-effective solution is the immediate implementati...

Although it was suspected to be the Pestalotiopsis leaf disease at the beginning it has now been positively identified as the circular leaf spot disease (CLSD) by the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the damage it can do to the industry is not to the extend it happened in Malaysia...

The extra special gazette notification dated 7 th January 2020 according to a directive issued by His Excellency the President on simplifying people friendly management system is referred. H ora (thief) is a well-established nickname for certain entrepreneurs in our society. Although a handful ...

Nutrient density is a measure of the amount of nutrients per serving of food or per unit of weight of a particular food. Different spices have different nutrient profiles and therefore different nutrient densities. Here are some examples of nutrient densities for some common spices that Sri Lanka is...

Sri Lanka, despite its rich cultural heritage and natural resources, has been facing economic struggles in recent times, including a heavy debt load and a wide trade deficit. Despite efforts by the government to secure loans and implement austerity measures, the country remains mired in a debt crisi...

Sri Lanka is going through an economic meltdown of a scale unseen since the country's financial crisis of 1948, right after it secured independence from the British Empire. The Ceylon Planters Society has pointed out repeatedly that the plantations industry has the potential of earning USD 10 B per ...

Executive Summary: Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector faces significant challenges, including inefficient resource use, low crop yields, and vulnerability to climate change. Agriculture Prompt Engineering, an innovative approach integrating AI, machine learning, and data analytics, offers a powerfu...

Plantations in Sri Lanka are a type of commercial farming where a single crop of tea, rubber, coconuts, sugarcane, cashew, cinnamon, timber, and oil palm is grown. This exercise is an attempt to understand the interventions required to harvest the untapped potential of the industry through the facto...

Beneath the rustling leaves and towering trunks lies a hidden world of communication. Trees, often seen as solitary giants, engage in a silent dialogue with each other through a network of fungal filaments. These fungal threads, known as mycorrhizae, weave between tree roots, forming a symbiotic con...