The program aims to establish a common vocabulary to enhance communication and coordination among farmers, processors, regulators, retailers, and academics. It promotes clarity, boosts compliance, and ensures best practices are consistently understood and applied across the industry.
Dr. Siddika Senanayake, Director General of SLSI emphasized:
“The agri-food sector is integral to economic growth and public health.
The common vocabulary will address ongoing challenges of misinterpretation and inconsistency, paving the way for improved quality assurance, food safety, labeling, traceability and international competitiveness.”
Launched on April 9, 2025, the initiative is supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) under the European Union (EU) funded BESPA-FOOD Project.
Key stakeholders from the public and private sector participated in the program to identify and unify essential terminology critical to the sector’s success.