Kahawatte, Sri Lanka – February 21, 2025 – The Deputy Director General of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Ms. Helena McLeod, participated in a field visit to an agroforestry project site as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between GGGI and Dilmah in her recent visit to Sri Lanka. Accompanied by Sri Lanka Country Representative, Dr. Sonali Senaratna Sellamuttu, GGGI Sri Lanka team, GGGI technical experts and consultants, Ms. McLeod joined with the representatives from Dilmah Tea and Kahawatte Plantation for a comprehensive assessment of potential agroforestry initiatives. Ms. McLeod gained firsthand insight into Sri Lanka’s lowland agricultural landscape, including traditional home gardens and cinnamon plantation areas in Rilhena, Ratnapura District.

The field visit discussions focused on developing an intercropping agroforestry blueprint model that could be integrated into existing tea plantations. This model aims to enhance community livelihoods through diversified farming while maintaining tea production excellence. The visit included detailed evaluations of how Dilmah envisions scaling these agroforestry initiatives across its operations. The discussions will continue to explore opportunities to expand these successful agroforestry models to other regions in Sri Lanka, with an emphasis on both environmental and economic sustainability.

Highlighting the importance of this initiative, Dilhan C. Fernando, CEO of Dilmah Tea, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, stating, “Building on our ongoing agroforestry collaboration with GGGI, we are eager to scale up our contributions to the sustainable development of the tea industry. Through channels like Dilmah’s GENESIS program, we aim to create a hub for innovation and partnership, reinforcing our shared commitment with GGGI to advancing Nature-based Solutions that address both societal and economic challenges in agriculture.”

Reinforcing the significance of private sector involvement in climate resilience, Ms. McLeod stated, “Strengthening climate resilience in Sri Lanka requires a collective effort. The private sector is crucial in embedding environmental sustainability within business operations. GGGI is committed to forging strong synergies with industry leaders like Dilmah to drive impactful solutions that enhance resilience, protect natural resources, and support a greener future for Sri Lanka.”

The initiative underscores GGGI’s commitment to driving climate-smart agriculture and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s position as a leader in sustainable tea production. This collaboration, endorsed by GGGI’s senior leadership through Deputy Director General Ms. Helena’s engagement, signals a strong commitment to developing sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both the environment and local communities.

For more information about GGGI’s work in Sri Lanka, visit https://gggi.org.

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