The Integrated Rurban Development and Climate Resilience Project (IRDCRP) took an important step towards strengthening climate-resilient and low-emission agri-food systems in Sri Lanka with the Kick-off Meeting for the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-supported initiative on Climate-Resilient and Low-Emission Cold Chain Solutions held on 18 September 2026 at the World Bank Country Office in Sri Lanka.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Treasury Department, MoALLI, relevant Government ministries, the World Bank, and other key stakeholder institutions, marking the commencement of coordinated efforts to advance the proposed GCF-supported additional financing under IRDCRP.
The initiative aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s cold chain infrastructure across key agri-food sectors, including fruits and vegetables, horticulture, livestock and dairy, food and beverages, food ingredients, coconut and spices, and fisheries. The programme will promote energy-efficient and climate-resilient cooling solutions while supporting farmers, producer organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises to improve market access and reduce post-harvest losses.
The proposed additional financing comprises USD 36 million, including a USD 5 million GCF grant facility, to support climate-smart cold chain investments and related capacity-building activities. Key interventions include small-scale renewable and hybrid cooling solutions, concessional financing for agri-food enterprises, energy-efficient cooling facilities for public institutions, and policy and capacity enhancement.
The initiative is expected to contribute to reducing post-harvest losses, improving energy efficiency, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing farmer incomes, strengthening food security, and facilitating access to domestic and international markets. Thereby enhancing export potential and food security It also supports Sri Lanka’s broader climate commitments and transition towards more sustainable and resilient food systems, and its commitments towards the Paris Agreement
The kick-off meeting marked a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders towards developing a modern, climate-resilient and low-emission cold chain system for Sri Lanka’s agri-food sector.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Treasury Department, MoALLI, relevant Government ministries, the World Bank, and other key stakeholder institutions, marking the commencement of coordinated efforts to advance the proposed GCF-supported additional financing under IRDCRP.
The initiative aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s cold chain infrastructure across key agri-food sectors, including fruits and vegetables, horticulture, livestock and dairy, food and beverages, food ingredients, coconut and spices, and fisheries. The programme will promote energy-efficient and climate-resilient cooling solutions while supporting farmers, producer organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises to improve market access and reduce post-harvest losses.
The proposed additional financing comprises USD 36 million, including a USD 5 million GCF grant facility, to support climate-smart cold chain investments and related capacity-building activities. Key interventions include small-scale renewable and hybrid cooling solutions, concessional financing for agri-food enterprises, energy-efficient cooling facilities for public institutions, and policy and capacity enhancement.
The initiative is expected to contribute to reducing post-harvest losses, improving energy efficiency, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing farmer incomes, strengthening food security, and facilitating access to domestic and international markets. Thereby enhancing export potential and food security It also supports Sri Lanka’s broader climate commitments and transition towards more sustainable and resilient food systems, and its commitments towards the Paris Agreement
The kick-off meeting marked a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders towards developing a modern, climate-resilient and low-emission cold chain system for Sri Lanka’s agri-food sector.