'Harvest X' - Development of Agriculture Infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

University of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Moratuwa

Project idea

There are many critical systematic collapses in all sectors and fields in Sri Lanka due to a lack of proper infrastructure facilities and utilization methods.
In the Agricultural sector, the same issue prevails; as proven by the statistical recording. The sector which employs 40% of the country's population, experiences a post-harvest production loss in the industry, which denotes a 30%- 40% loss in vegetable production, and a 25%- 40% loss in fruit production. Apart from the poor harvesting practices, the poor road conditions, improper transportation methods, and poor packing systems for the produce contributed to further reduction and loss of production. These losses severely affect the income and livelihood of the rural farmers in the country.
‘What is post-harvest loss?’
The post-harvest loss is the decrease in quantity and quality of food during the process from harvesting and consumption points. This phenomenon results in a high and volatile increase in food pricing, causing food insecurity and poverty; statistically representing 2.5%- 4.9% food insecurity rates within the country.
Inadequate packaging systems also contribute to significant post-harvest losses, with some produce ending up in garbage dumps, endangering local wildlife.
Transporting agricultural produce from rural growing areas to marketplaces in cities utilizing lorries on main roads by private enterprises contributes to the issues of a fragmented supply chain, and inefficient logistic coordination which result in delays, spoilage, and financial losses for farmers and distributors, and also cause heavy traffic congestion on major routes, especially during peak hours.
To resolve these existing issues of “post-harvest loss”, it is essential to upgrade the infrastructure necessary for the distribution network. As a developing country, we need a cost-effective and visually acceptable building system to implement a mechanism, which has to be economically viable, sustainable, and promotes circularity.

Project description

This thesis endeavors to address the systemic challenges plaguing Sri Lanka's agricultural sector through a comprehensive architectural intervention. With a scholarly commitment to resolving issues such as post-harvest loss and the socio-economic disparities faced by farming communities.
Key areas for infrastructure upgrades include:
• Agriculture waste minimization within the transportation system,
• Agricultural produce collection and distribution networks
• Infrastructure for research and development in agriculture
• Knowledge distribution including Farmer training schools and facility centers are essential components to be addressed.
This research seeks to utilize the existing railway infrastructure as a transformative agent.
Strategies for Implementation:
1. Developing Affordable and Efficient Infrastructure Solutions: Modular, flexible prefabricated components will be designed for easy transportation and assembly, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality.
2. Utilizing the Railway System for Transporting Agricultural Produce: Implementing modular railway compartments for safe transportation.
3. Using the Railway System as a Delivery Mechanism for Infrastructure Buildings: Designing railway carriages to transport prefabricated building modules efficiently.
4. Utilizing Existing Railway Facilities as Production Sites: Repurposing abandoned railway buildings for prefabricated construction, optimizing production workflows, and situating facilities along railway lines for seamless transport.
5. Using Existing Land and Infrastructure for Marketplaces: Creating community marketplaces on railway-owned land to enhance local access to fresh produce.
Through the repurposing of outdated train carriages into specialized crop transporting compartments and the strategic establishment of harvest collecting centers at agricultural sites. Furthermore, the integration of precast concrete building systems into selected railway stations will facilitate the creation of agricultural infrastructure, fostering economic growth and enhancing accessibility for both farmers and urban consumers. Grounded in rigorous academic inquiry and guided by a commitment to societal betterment, this project aspires to not only revolutionize agricultural transportation practices but also to uplift and empower marginalized communities within Sri Lanka's agricultural landscape. This project not only addresses the infrastructural needs of the agricultural sector but also promotes sustainable development, reduces post-harvest losses, and improves food security. By leveraging Sri Lanka's extensive railway network and existing facilities, we aim to create a resilient, economically viable, and environmentally friendly infrastructure system.
The whole project program is going to be demonstrated at three different locations in different contexts in Sri Lanka. In orderly;
Crop Science & Post-harvest Technology Research Center at Rajarata University at Anuradhapura Enhancing agricultural research and knowledge distribution.
Fruits and Vegetables Collection Point at Nanuoya: Establishing a centralized collection and distribution hub adjacent to Nanuoya Railway Station.
Community Display Market and Distribution Center at Rathmalana Railway Yard: Transforming a disused plot into a vibrant marketplace, utilizing existing railway infrastructure.

Technical information

My design intention is to advocate a systematic approach to developing the necessary infrastructure and distribution network mechanism to mitigate these critical issues of post-harvest loss.
The inspiration for this project is drawn from the mechanism adapted to develop infrastructure facilities for the historical railway system in Sri Lanka, which comprehensively relied on prefabricated components made in the UK.
Considering the mobilization of the building components by train carriages is also encouraged by the same concrete-based light prefabrication methods. So the simple implementation methods speed up the construction process and lower the duration of the projects.
Train carriages are designed to encourage proper packaging, racking, and crate transportation and distribution system of harvest with the worker's facilities.
The proposed construction system breaks the general idea of the uniformity or the monotonousness of prefabricated modular systems and, highlights the power of prefabrication and sustainability. That shows the wide range of play, one modular system can go through.
“Harvest-X”- Is an introduction of a steel & concrete hybrid prefabricated building system, which is proposed as an economical and efficient strategy to meet infrastructure requirements in the agricultural sector of Sri Lanka.

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